By Noah Bercott
Coming into Saturday's crucial local derby match, both teams were desperate for a victory in this rollercoaster of an Isthmian Premier League campaign. Hendon were on a run of seven consecutive league defeats, without scoring in any of them, and yet to secure a victory on the road this season. The Blues had also been on a tough run themselves, without a win in nine league matches.
The match started with the hosts on the front foot, but with a couple of early efforts squandered. In the 9th minute, Wingate & Finchley took the lead when a well-executed ball from Ben Watt was lobbed into Camilo Restrepo, who controlled the ball on his chest before firing the ball into the top corner to make it 1-0. The Blues continued to apply pressure to a Hendon side which looked lacking in confidence, throughout the first half hour of the match.
In the 36th minute, Hendon earned a penalty, which Niko Muir converted confidently into the bottom right corner to equalise, from here the visitors looked to have gained confidence and were in the ascendancy throughout the rest of the first half.
After the break, both teams continued to push for the win, and Hendon continued their strong spell that they had been in at the end of the first half. Wingate had several opportunities, but a string of shots were blocked or saved by the keeper. In the 74th minute, Hendon took the lead when Billie Busari scored following a defensive lapse, skillfully cutting inside his man and firing into the roof of the net, leaving debutant goalkeeper Matteo Salamon with no chance, and giving Hendon a 2-1 lead with a little over a quarter of an hour to hold on.
The Blues, however, refused to give up. In the 77th minute, just a few minutes after Hendon had taken the lead, Ryan Lowe stood over a free kick from around 30 yards, his curling effort rebounding off the corner of the upright and straight into the path of substitute Ogo Obi who nodded into the net to restore parity at 2-2.
In the 84th minute, following some pinball in the Dons' penalty area, Andronicos Georgiou fired into the top of the goal from the edge of the box, making it 3-2. With time running out, Hendon levelled the scores again with a header from a corner, the goal scored by their own debutant, forward Leo Sery, sending the visiting fans into jubilation behind the goal. It was a captivating contest, with both sides leaving everything on the pitch.
Next up, the Blues host Cray Wanderers on Tuesday night, as the search for an elusive victory continues. Make sure you get down to the Maurice Rebak Stadium and show your support! Tickets can be purchased online in advance or on the gate on matchday.
Wingate & Finchley: Salamon; Cracknell (Bello 79'); Byron; Watt; Frempah; Lowe (Drakes-Thomas 87’); Garrett-Douglas; Keller (Georgiou 59’); Newton (Obi 66’); Restrepo (Tanimowo 80'); Hernandez
Unused Subs: none
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
Videos courtesy of Harley Carr.
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