Wingate & Finchley host Concord Rangers on Saturday looking to record back-to-back home league victories for the first time this season. Concord Rangers will present a difficult challenge though, sitting just one point and two places below Wingate & Finchley. Despite home advantage for the Blues, Concord Rangers have actually picked up all-but one of their points on the road so far this campaign, winning two and drawing one from four away games. Their last outing was at Margate on Tuesday night, where they secured a 2-0 win over a side flying high in the Ryman Premier, courtesy of two late goals from Tony Stokes. Stokes is the side’s top scorer having netted seven times in 14 games this term and his partnership with fellow striker Harry Elmes, who has five in nine, is as potent as any in the division. The pair have attracted interest from numerous Football League clubs recently, after two goal-laden seasons with the Beach Boys. That potent strike-force contributes to a generally goal-laden outfit, as the side, upon finishing 14th last season, one place behind Wingate & Finchley, scored 72 goals - a total only five teams could better. Having said that, their attacking potency comes somewhat at the expense of their defensive work, as their 79 goals conceded was the fourth worst in the league last season, with only the bottom recording larger totals. They’ve started this season in a similar vein, conceding a joint-division high of 15 goals already, but their ‘goals for column’ continues to balance it up. Wingate & Finchley will have chances to get goals then, but will be wary of a threatening attack. The Blues will be hopeful of welcoming back some key men for the fixture too, having been without a number of first team regulars in Tuesday’s win over Harrow Borough.
Preview by Mike Carre
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