BEDFORD TOWN 2-2 WINGATE & FINCHLEY
FA CUP 3RD QUALIFYING ROUND
BY IZZY HUNTLEY
On Saturday, Wingate & Finchley earnt a hard-fought replay against Bedford Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup after drawing 2-2 at the Eyrie Stadium. With the Eagles currently at 10th in the National League North, it looked to be a difficult match for Wingate, but a quality showing from the Blues has forced the teams into a replay to decide who will progress to the next round.
Bedford started strongly, with their first shot on target in the 11th minute forcing a great save from Charlie Grainger, the first of many, and stopping the Eagles from getting ahead. It wasn’t long before we had some close attempts either, with Nzala taking a series of shots, with one sailing over the bar, and the other heading just wide of the goal. Oupoh also had an attempt on target a few minutes later, but it ended up in the hands of the Bedford keeper.
Finally, in the 28th minute, Wingate broke through the deadlock, when a lovely pass from Nzala set Chukwu up in front of goal, and his shot broke past the keeper into the back of the net.
However, less than 10 minutes after Chukwu’s goal, Bedford Town were awarded a penalty, scored by their number 10 George Moncur, and they were suddenly equal. They came close to scoring again just before half-time, but a block from Jack Thomas meant that the two sides headed into the break even, with a 1-1 score at half-time.
It didn’t take long for Wingate to get back in front, with Chukwu scoring his second of the game just one minute after half time.
McGettigan had a strike on target shortly after, but this time it was saved by Bedford’s Laurie Walker, and Oupoh’s subsequent attempt ended up just wide of the goal.
The Referee’s decision-making then started once again to affect the game, this time with a series of bookings, with Billy Watskiss being shown a yellow in the 56th minute, before Kai Thomas-Fraser was shown his second and sent off, leaving Wingate down to 10 men in the 61st minute of the game, with just a one goal lead. Wingate responded with a series of substitutions with Nzala and Oupoh coming off for Ryan Lowe and Scott Kashket.
Grainger made another vital save after Bedford were awarded a free kick just outside of the box in the 78th minute, and yet another just 80 minutes later, tipping a dangerous attempt by Bedford just over the crossbar.
Yet, Bedford were awarded another penalty in the 85th minute, which George Moncur scored again confidently, putting the teams level once again shortly before the full-time whistle. Grainger stopped another dangerous ball in the 90th minute to stop the Eagles from claiming a late winner, with a draw giving Wingate another chance to progress past Bedford, with the winner earning their place in the Fourth Round Qualifying and being just one match away from the First Round Proper.
