On a warm summer's evening Wingate & Finchley Ryman Youth team opened up their league campaign against Staines Town with an incredible 3-2 victory against all odds.
Missing the captain and vice captain through injury and absence, and with the squad deeply depleted due to the holiday period and further injuries, the opportunity came for younger players to make a name for themselves. They did more than this, confident and resilient they put up a good fight in a well-contested match. The game was a very closely fought affair with Wingate stepping up a gear when necessary going in 2-0 up at half time. After being hit by injury to Andrew Tessaras early on in the first half, he was replaced by Karl Stevenson, and Wingate scored two quick goals just after the half hour mark. The first was from Harry Tew-Robinson and the second by 16 year old Carlo Marenghi.
Wingate came out the blocks the fastest and scored an early goal from another 16 year old Nathan Frazer-Carrol. Wingate then suffered injury to Marenghi after their final susbtitution and a further injury to Jeremy Nestor left them with nine fit players with 30 minutes still remaining. Staines then pulled one back on the hour mark to close the gap to two goals. Staines managed to bring the score back to just one goal with a late consolation goal. This was a great start for the boys and was well contested and even game throughout.
With 15 players to return, this season's squad looks more than strong.
Report by Oliver Simnock and Aron Sharpe