Tonbridge Angels preview

After back-to-back wins, Wingate & Finchley should be full of confidence going into Saturday's Ryman Premier League fixture against Tonbridge Angels at the Maurice Rebak Stadium. A hard fought 1-0 victory over local rivals Enfield Town, courtesy of a Steve Wales winner, was followed up by a convincing 8-1 defeat of Tower Hamlets in the London Senior Cup First Round. The visitors Tonbridge are flying high in the league, currently sitting in fifth - the final play-off position. And after being put to the sword by Dartford in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round last weekend, they will be fully focused on maintaining their impressive start to the league season. The Angels are becoming regular opponents for Wingate, with this being the third meeting between the sides in two months. In last season’s home game, the visitors left with all three points. Wingate will also want to avenge the result on the opening day of this campaign, when Tonbridge ran out 3-0 winners. The two sides faced off again in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, with the same outcome. The key to reversing their fortunes could be stopping Tonbridge’s dangerman, Nathan Elder, who will be looking to add to his tally of eight goals and five assists. But Wingate goalkeeper Shane Gore has also had a fine start to the season, picking up the Player of the Month Award for September. The shot stopper will be determined to make it two consecutive clean sheets in the league. Wingate will have to be more clinical than in their last home fixture, against Needham Market, when a series of missed chances opportunities allowed the visitors to snatch all three points. The opposition should be weary of the threat posed by in-form Billy Healey. The forward is Wingate’s top-scorer with four league goals to his name so far this season. Tonbridge have only lost two games so far this season and there is no doubt that this fixture will prove a tough test for the boys in blue. We look forward to a highly competitive afternoon of football at Summers Lane By Sam Jones