Lowestoft Town preview

Wingate & Finchley host Lowestoft Town in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday afternoon, with the sides separated by two points at this early stage of the season. After a difficult opening month to the season, the hosts have been in inspired form in September – winning four and losing one of their five games compared to just one win in August. The Blues have also scored 14 goals in those five outings, conceding eight, and will be looking to add to their goal tally vs. Lowestoft. The return to goal scoring form for Billy Healey will be crucial if Wingate are to secure a top half finish this season – with the striker’s second half thunderbolt sealing the three points at Earlsmead on Tuesday night to beat Harrow Borough. Contrastingly, Lowestoft come into the game having won just once in their last six – losing thrice. Their last league outing saw the Trawler Boys lose 2-1 away at Staines FC, despite leading 1-0 at half time. Prior to this, in the League Cup, the side from East Suffolk saw an away trip to AFC Sudbury end in heartbreak as Sam Bantick’s double overcame Ady Gallagher’s men. Gallagher will be relying on Chris Henderson and Jake Reed – who have five league goals between them this season – to step up to the mark if they are to overcome Keith Rowland’s men. This game will, for many years, be best remembered for Ahmet Rifat’s stoppage time winner in 2013 – which kept Wingate in the Ryman Premier League when they were seconds from being relegated back to the Ryman League North. If Saturday’s game can produce a winning goal as late, though probably not as great, the Blues’ fans will more than likely be going home with their side in the top 10 in the league. By Nikhil Saglani