Match Report by Aaron Jaffe.
Wingate and Finchley moved up to fourth with a 2-1 win over Carshalton Athletic at the Maurice Rebak Stadium. The hosts ignited some early fireworks on the eve of Bonfire night in North London, with a quickfire double courtesy of headers from Ben Frempah and Andronicos Georgiou in the 14th and 17th minute.
The Robins managed to draw one goal back just before the half-time interval. David Smith was played in by Kwaku Frimpong and kept his composure, making it two goals in two games for Carshalton’s new addition.
Ahmet Rifat’s side hoped to return to winning ways, having ended their winning run on the weekend, with Dulwich Hamlet stealing all three points with a last-minute winner at Champion Hill. Rifat, who was named this morning as the Isthmian Premier Division’s Manager of the Month, made one change, opting for Zack Newton in place of Ayo Tanimowo.
Despite the visitors’ early possession, the first real chance of the game fell to the Blueboys. Rhamar Garrett-Douglas found Ogo Obi inside the penalty area, but the former Maidstone United forward’s goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Fikayo Atewologun.
Wingate’s spell of dominance paid off, and the hosts broke the deadlock within the first 15 minutes. Defender Ben Frempah rose to meet an inswinging corner-kick, nodding home for his fourth goal of the season.
One soon turned quickly into two with Andronicos Georgiou joining in on the action for the hosts. Obi’s cross for the 25-year-old was inch-perfect, and the former Royston Town man headed beyond Sam Roberts with ease to double the lead.
The Robins outfought the momentum and forced Charlie Grainger into two individual saves. Mason Saunders-Henry, Tommy Bradford and David Smith did well to break past Wingate’s stern defensive line, but the former Dulwich Hamlet, Hastings United and Leyton Orient goalkeeper remained alert to the danger.
Ahmet Rifat’s side would’ve been delighted to enter the interval with a two goal advantage, but Carshalton were able to halve the deficit with one minute remaining in the first half. Kwaku Frimpong slid David Smith in on goal, and the new Robins signing comfortably slotted past Grainger.
The visitors started the second half as they ended the first. Tommy Bradford’s corner was deftly flicked on by Saunders-Henry, but his volley looped onto the roof of the goal.
Garrett-Douglas felt that he should’ve been awarded a penalty on the hour mark, having been caught in the box by a Carshalton defender. The Wingate winger spun past two players before cutting inside from the right, weaving in between another defender and going to ground inside the area. Referee Gerry Herron immediately blew his whistle but booked Garrett-Douglas for simulation.
A series of substitutions followed as Wingate worked to defend their lead. The visitors relentlessly tried to counter, but couldn’t find the breakthrough to steal a point from Rifat’s well-drilled Blueboys.
Wingate will next welcome Hastings United to the Maurice Rebak Stadium. While the U’s sit in 14th, their 2-0 win against Whitehawk will undoubtedly instil confidence of getting a result at the weekend. Tickets are available in advance online, or on the gate on matchday.
Wingate and Finchley: Grainger, Cracknell ©, Byron, Achuba, Frempah, Lowe (Drakes-Thomas 59’), Garrett-Douglas (Tanimowo 74’, Webb 90’), Newton, Obi (Iontton 82’), Georgiou (Briscoe 71’), Hernandez
Carshalton Athletic: Roberts, Read, Sankoh (Kennett 89’), Tanner, Atewologun, Camacho-Saraiva, Saunders Henry, Bradford © (Hamilton-Downes 82’), Ifeanyi, Frimpong (Goather-Braithwaite 66’), Smith (Kastrati 90’)
Unused subs: Hamstead
Goals: Frempah 14’, Georgiou 17’ | Smith 44’
Attendance: 212
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.