Some games in football are won by moments of sheer individual brilliance, or complete tactical domination of the opponent. The Blues have had a few of those in recent weeks, as we have now gone five games unbeaten, but Saturday was not one of those wins. Saturday was a win that could be attributed to resolute hard work from every single player that entered the field of play, a never-say-die attitude, and a hint of luck, but as we all know - you create your own luck.
Reports that the UK would be hotter than the Amalfi Coast this weekend will have pleased those in charge at Horsham, who were organising their fourth annual beer festival, and it was a spectacle, with just shy of 1,500 fans coming through the turnstiles to see a team that is clearly on an upward trajectory and will no doubt be pushing for the title come the end of the season.
On the field, the game didn't quite live up to hopes and expectations of either side, between two teams who, going into this fixture, were near the top of the form guide. Ahmet Rifat made two changes to the side that beat Whitehawk last weekend; Toby Byron and Camilo Restrepo coming in for Daniel Emovon and Ore Bello who dropped to the bench. It was also a rare outing for the Wingate & Finchley away kit, with kitman Pete Barker preparing the "Blues" to play in white and orange in West Sussex.
Horsham came out on the front foot, keen to entertain the many locals in attendance, but their early chances were largely restricted to efforts from long-range free kicks and many, many corners. Charlie Grainger, on his second game back from injury, was equal to everything. Free kicks were parried away, corners were claimed or nodded away by his defence in front of him. It was very much a first 20 minutes which took place in the Blues' half, but without any serious cause for alarm.
With 19 minutes on the clock, the Blues finally got a bit of possession and Jaiden Drakes-Thomas gave the ball to the returning Restrepo, who took on his man on the right flank in typical fashion before unleashing a cross-cum-shot that found its way into the top corner and over the helpless Lewis Carey. On initial viewing it looked like a bit of a fluke, but having re-watched it, could it have been a stroke of genius from the Blues magician? Only Camilo will know. It was certainly against the run of play, but just reward for the defence and midfield who had battled resolutely for those first twenty minutes or so.
After the Restrepo goal, normal service resumed, with the ball returning to the Blues half. Numerous wayward passes from both sides meant that there wasn't much to cheer from either side, but the Hornets were certainly knocking on the door. Arguably the best piece of football of the afternoon came for the home side shortly after the half hour mark; the Blues lost the ball in midfield, and some quick interplay between Chris Dickson and Reece Myles-Meekums saw the latter through on goal and with a simple finish past Grainger to level the scores. The first half ended level at 1-1 and the Blues had some work to do - Ahmet Rifat making the first tactical switch, bringing on Cain Keller for Rhamar Garrett-Douglas at the break.
A moment that could've certainly changed the outcome of this tie came just minutes into the second half, again some neat play by the Horsham attacking players led to James Hammond being through but his first-time strike from the edge of the area went high over the goal, to the relief of the Wingate & Finchley defence.
The game had changed in the second half, and Wingate & Finchley were able to get their foot on the ball more and play their football. With Horsham clearly looking to score a second, the game opened up and became more end-to-end. The next big chance for Wingate came from corner kicks around the hour mark, our first and second of the afternoon, where first Billy Cracknell, and then Ben Frempah both rose highest of a crowded penalty area, but on both occasions their goalward attempts were hooked off the line by goalkeeper and defender.
Into the final quarter of the game, where both sides are often at their most vulnerable, and a defensive error by the hosts allowed winger Theo Alexandrou to nip in, bear down on goal, and stroke the ball past Carey in the home goal. It was excellent anticipation to create the chance, and clinical finishing to put the visitors back into the lead. An element of luck, but as mentioned, the Blues created their own luck, having worked tirelessly all afternoon to defend their own box, and to counter at pace and put pressure on the hosts' backline whenever possible.
And a feature of the Blues side this season, is their ability to grind out results and really manage games to their conclusion. Substiutes Keller, Newton and Bello were involved throughout, winning back the ball and creating opportunities down the right-hand side to relieve pressure on the backline. In fact after that goal, if anyone looked more likely to score it was probably the North London side. After a couple of moments at the corner flag trying to see out the remaining minutes, the ball broke to substitute Ore Bello whose snapshot was saved by the legs of Carey and hooked to safety.
Disappointment for our hosts, especially given that the teams in first and second also lost, and those behind them were victorious. The Blues remain in 11th place, twelve points off the playoffs and seventeen clear of the relegation zone with nine games to go. Hear more from Ahmet Rifat below as he looks ahead to the remaining fixtures and gives his thoughts on Saturday's win.
Wingate & Finchley: Grainger, Garrett-Douglas (Keller 46'), Byron, Cracknell, Frempah, Watt, Restrepo (Bello 77'), Lowe, Obi (Newton 65'), Drakes-Thomas, Alexandrou .
Unused Subs: Iontton, Emovon
Attendance: 1,499
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison and Taslima Islam (Snapcentrix). Match report by Liam Blaney
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