Wingate & Finchley drew 1-1 with Conference South's Maidenhead United, in their only home friendly before the start of the season.
In the first half, Wingate's new goalkeeper signing Cain Davies - previously of the Hadley Wood and Wingate youth sides - was called upon to make three superb early blocks with his body and feet, denying Richard Pacquette and Michael Malcolm. Malcolm then had a distant free kick saved in the 30th minute, but scored the resulting corner with a near-post header. Maidenhead's lead had been coming after a wave of pressure, but it finally shocked Wingate into life.
The hosts' first chance arrived as Ola Williams fed through Leon Smith but his one on one was parried. Maidenhead's Danny Green had a near post shot tipped wide by Davies, but he skied his next effort with a bad slice as he received a rebound off the crossbar. Five minutes before the break Wingate levelled. A cross from the right wing was needlessly handballed by sloppy work from Ujah, and Leon Smith tucked away the penalty with the ball bouncing in off the post.
Wingate were much brighter in the second half and looked the most likely to score a winner. Hector Mackie released Smith down the left, who cut the ball across to Spencer McCall. He took his time with only the keeper to beat but only rattled the crossbar. David Laird had a goal disallowed for a narrow offside, and right-winger Marcus Milner forced a superb diving save from Elvijs Putnins with a fierce drive having forced his way into the box.
Although Maidenhead could have been out of sight in the first half, Wingate forced their way back into the game and were worthy of the draw against higher level opposition. Next up is a visit to Hayes & Yeading on Tuesday night who are playing at the Sharda Glass Stadium Beaconsfield Rd . Hayes, Middx UB40SL. Lineup: 1. Cain Davis, 2 Ola Williams, 3 Ryan Sellers, 4 Tommy Tejan-Sie, 5 Marc Weatherstone, 6 Farai Hallam, 7 Dean Mason, 8 Spencer McCall, 9 Leon Smith, 10 Daniel McGonigle, 11 Hector Mackie. Subs: 12. Frankie Webb, 14. Paul Wright, 15 Rob Hughes, 16 John Christian, 17 David Laird, 18 Marcus Milner.