Narrow defeat for Blues at the hands of clinical Ambers
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
By Aaron Toubian
A hugely eventful first 45 minutes at Summers Lane saw a struggling Wingate & Finchley fall to a 3-2 defeat, at the hands of a clinical Cheshunt team. The visitors got off to the perfect start, as Connor Kurran-Browne fired in a crisp half-volley, after the ball fell perfectly into his path.

Less than ten minutes later, an unmarked Nahum Melvin-Lambert nodded a pinpoint header past Charlie Grainger, to double the Cheshunt lead. The home side provided the perfect response, drawing level with two goals in the space of three minutes. Blues’ captain Billy Cracknell’s effort was diverted into bottom left corner, shortly before Gianluca Botti slotted a calm strike through the legs of Aymen Azaze, to restore first-half parity.
Minutes before the break, the Ambers restored their lead through Dequane Wilson-Braithwaite’s bullet header from a corner. The picks of the second-half chances fell to the ever-involved Caoilan McGettigan and substitute, Romeo Akinola. The latter scuffed a close-range effort, moments after entering the fray, just after McGettigan’s clever strike trickled wide.

The result leaves Wingate & Finchley languishing in the relegation zone, however, they hold three games in hand over Cray Valley Paper Mills, who sit just one point superior.
“We have to maintain being positive. Be resilient, keep dusting ourselves off and keep going, it’s as simple as that. Now, for me, it becomes a mental battle. When you don’t get the result, it becomes a mental block.” said Wingate boss, Ahmet Rifat, after the defeat.
Next up for the Blues is a crucial home fixture against neighbours Potters Bar Town, this Tuesday night. After that, it’s a tricky trip to the south coast to take on Burgess Hill Town, before back-to-back home games against Canvey Island and Brentwood Town.
“Tuesday [vs Potters Bar Town] is where our next win comes. I do personally believe we are capable of winning every game!” added the ever-positive, Rifat.
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.









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