As the Blues took yet another trip across the Dartford crossing into Kent on Saturday, this time their attention was on the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, after an excellent win last Saturday in the league at Dover. Unfortunately, despite a rousing second half performance, the Blues weren't able to provide the crucial finishing touch, leaving Medway empty-handed with a 1-0 defeat.
In the early stages the home side had a few chances, with a combination of poor finishing and goalkeeper Charlie Grainger combining to keep the scores level. The Blues then got into their stride and created some pressure of their own, culminating in a shot being cleared off the line by the home defence.
Midway through the first half, and against the run of play, as the Blues were starting to dominate, a quick counter from Chatham saw a ball played across the box from the left wing and poked into the net from close range by Jordy Mongoy to give the home side the lead. Chatham continued to have chances throughout the rest of the first half, but were unable to double their lead.
In the second half, Wingate & Finchley came out strongly, looking for that crucial equaliser to keep them in the Trophy. Andronicos Georgiou unleased an excellent strike early in the second half, but saw his shot from 25 yards bounce against the woodwork.
The Blues had two goals ruled offside in the second half, one in particular from Ogo Obi looking to be a marginal call. And in the dying minutes, Ogo Obi couldn't quite convert a header across goal from Ben Frempah.
A disappointing conclusion but another promising performance from Ahmet Rifat's Blues - hear from the gaffer below. Next we face Bowers & Pitsea at the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Tuesday 15th October. We look forward to seeing you back in N12!
Wingate & Finchley: Grainger, Cracknell, Byron, Achuba, Frempah, Drakes-Thomas (Newton 68'), Garrett-Douglas, Deslandes (Lowe 67'), Obi, Georgiou (Oladipo 76'), O'Donoghue (Hernandez 59')
Unused sub: Webb
Attendance: 537
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
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