By Noah Bercott
The clash between Wingate & Finchley and Horsham on Saturday was a tight and fiercely contested affair, with Horsham emerging as narrow 1-0 victors thanks to a second-half strike from Joel Daly. The wet and windy conditions from Storm Bert made creativity difficult for the two footballing sides, and it always appeared that one goal was going to settle this tie.
Wingate & Finchley started the brighter side, creating a series of early chances. In the 5th minute, Jaiden Drakes-Thomas and Zack Newton combined well, with the latter firing just wide. Rhamar Garrett-Douglas also tested Lewis Carey in the visitor's goal but he made a comfortable save. Horsham grew into the game and launched counter-attacks of their own. Both teams exchanged half-chances, but without anything that would trouble the xG counters.
The deadlock was broken five minutes into the second half. The goal that sealed the win came through the visitors' Joel Daly as he slotted home at the end of a fast and ruthless counter-attack led by Daniel Ajakaiye down the left side.
Wingate responded strongly, forcing corners and testing the Horsham defence, but they couldn’t find an equalizer. In truth Wingate & Finchley struggled to create clear opportunities, as Horsham's rigid defensive display nullified the Blues' normal fluidity - the visitors coping better with the weather conditions. The Hornets' keeper was only tested by a stinging 20 yard drive from Ryan Lowe but he held on comfortably as the shot zipped off the surface.
Substitutions added fresh legs to both sides, including the introduction of debutant Camilo Restrepo for Wingate & Finchley, but Horsham’s defence held firm. The best chance for the hosts came from a corner in the 69th minute, but the resulting shot was blocked at close range.
Horsham had a golden chance to seal it at the death, but Chris Dickson wildly wasted his chance high over the bar when he seemed certain to score in acres of space. In the end Horsham’s resolute defending and clinical counter attack ensured they secured all three points in a hard-fought contest as they held on for the slender win in torrential rain.
As a result of the narrow defeat and results elsewhere, the Blues drop down one place into third. Next up we welcome Charlton Athletic to the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Tuesday night in the London Senior Cup.
Wingate & Finchley: Grainger; Cracknell; Byron; Drakes-Thomas; Frempah; Lowe; Garrett-Douglas (Briscoe 87'); Newton (Restrepo 64'); Obi; Georgiou; Hernandez (Kissi 45’)
Unused subs: Iontton, Webb.
Attendance: 258
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