The Blues have three big matches in the space of a week ahead, as the festive season is packed full of football, perfect for Wingate & Finchley to turn their recent results around and get back to winning ways. Our last game saw a thrilling game end in late disappointment as Lewes staged a late comeback to draw 2-2 on Saturday. Here is our bumper festive preview for the next week of games:
Boxing Day - Cheshunt (H)
Our Opponents
Cheshunt were founded in 1946, although a version of the club has existed since the 1880s. Since the turn of the millennium, Cheshunt have spent much of their time at Step 4 - but after an eleven year spell at that level (10 in Isthmian North and 1 in Isthmian South Central) from 2008/09 through to 2018/19, the Ambers won promotion to the Isthmian Premier, beating Marlow and Bracknell Town in the playoffs. After their first two seasons at this level were abandoned due to COVID-19, Cheshunt managed to get promotion again via the playoffs into National League South, beating Bishops Stortford and Hornchurch in the playoffs, with Blues' forward Zack Newton scoring the decisive goal in the playoff final.
It was a tricky season in the NLS, and ultimately the Ambers only lasted one season at that level, finishing 23rd of 24 teams in 22/23 but only 5 points adrift of safety. Last season was a challenge, as Cheshunt narrowly avoided back-to-back relegations, finishing four points above Margate in the final relegation spot. This season has started in a similar fashion, with the Ambers having 19 points from 20 games so far (W5 D4 L11) this season, putting them in 20th position of 22 teams.
Head to Head
Last season the Blues managed to secure a double over the Ambers, winning 1-0 at Theobalds Lane in August thanks to a goal from former Amber Zack Newton, before a 3-2 thriller on New Year's Day at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, goals for the Blues coming from Ruben Carvalho (penalty) and an Anointed Chukwu brace.
Last Time Out
Cheshunt have had two home fixtures in the past week; first a narrow 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Bowers & Pitsea, thanks to a first half goal from Uko Oji. On Saturday, Cheshunt hosted current table-toppers Dover Athletic, and after the visitors took a two-goal lead in the first half, Oji scored late to give the Ambers hope but it ended 2-1 to Dover at Theobalds Lane.
Players to Watch
Oji is one to watch, the youngster is on loan from Leyton Orient and has netted two league goals in four games as well as having scored a hat-trick in the Herts Senior Cup against Baldock. Another, more familiar, player to keep an eye on is Antonis Vasiliou who has eight goals in all competitions for the Ambers this season so far, including a hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Bognor in November. The Barnet academy graduate played 58 times for the Blues, scoring 13 goals.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Boxing Day. Our bar will be open and hot food will be served, including our limited edition festive hot dog 'The Bird & Berry'. Cash and card is accepted throughout the stadium and tickets can be bought in advance here, or on the gate on matchday.
Saturday 28th Dec - Folkestone Invicta (A)
Our Opponents
Folkestone Invicta were founded in 1936, moving to their current ground at Cheriton Road in 1990 after Folkestone FC, the previous tenants of the stadium, folded. Invicta have spent much of the last couple of decades between the Isthmian Premier League and Isthmian South divisions. In 2015/16, Invicta returned to the Premier Division as they were crowned champions of Isthmian South. They have remained in the Isthmian Premier ever since, reaching the playoffs once and coming close on a couple of other occasions, rarely looking over their shoulders at the division below.
Folkestone Invicta finished last season in 16th position, comfortably ahead of the drop by 11 points, but 26 points off the playoff spots, in a season that will probably have been below Invicta's expectations. Last summer, prior to the 2023/24 season, a consortium completed the takeover of the Kent-based side, with big plans to improve the club on and off the pitch. This season, Folkestone are sat in 14th position with 27 points from 20 games (W8 D3 L9).
Head to Head
The Blues faced Invicta at the Maurice Rebak Stadium back in August, where the game ended 3-3. It was a fast start, with the game 1-1 after just five minutes, thanks to goals from Destiny Oladipo for the Blues, and Tom Derry for the visitors. Ogo Obi gave the Blues a 3-1 lead but we were pegged back to 3-3 thanks to an Ian Gayle brace, with Rhamas Garrett-Douglas dismissed late on for two yellow cards.
Last Time Out
It was a close tie on Saturday for Invicta, as they hosted a resurgent Dartford side. Late in the game, Dartford nicked a late winner to take all three points with a 1-0 win. Prior to that, Invicta travelled to fellow Kent side Chatham Town in front of over 1,700 fans at the Bauvill Stadium. It was a tough trip, as Chatham ran out 4-1 winners.
Players to Watch
30-year old winger Matthias Fanimo, a graduate of the famous West Ham academy, Fanimo also played for England at youth level through to U18s. After his departure from the Hammers, he spent time in the non-league pyramid before travelling to play his football in Slovenia, Bosnia and Croatia, before returning to Ebbsfleet United last year.
Goals this season for Invicta have come primarily from 25-year old forward Daniel Smith. Smith joined from fellow Isthmian side Bognor in the summer, after coming through Portsmouth's academy, also spending time at the likes of Eastleigh and Dulwich Hamlet in his career so far.
New Year's Day - Potters Bar Town (A)
Please note this fixture will take place at Kings Langley's Orbital Fasteners Stadium due to Potters Bar's groundsharing arrangement this season.
Our Opponents
Potters Bar were founded in 1960, formerly known as Mount Grace Old Scholars, renaming to Potters Bar Town in 1991. The Scholars were promoted from step 4 in 2018/19, where they finished 2nd and were promoted automatically from Isthmian North division.
Potters Bar Town ended last season in 15th position, with 51 points from their 42 matches. This was a very similar outcome to the Scholars' previous two seasons where 53 points in both 2022/23 and 2021/22 saw them finish 13th in both of those campaigns. In recent years, it was their FA Cup exploits that made headlines, forcing a replay against Barnet FC live on BBC in 2019/20 in front of over 2,000 fans at the Lantern Stadium.
Head to Head
We faced off against each other earlier in the season at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, Potters Bar taking all three points in a 2-1 win on August Bank Holiday. Steve Cawley scored in the first half for the visitors, before the Blues mounted a comeback, dominating much of the second half before Thomas Avgoustidis scored a suckerpunch goal to double the Potters Bar lead. Ryan Lowe scored in the dying minutes for the Blues but it wasn't enough to take anything from the match. In the run-in last season, as the Blues closed on a playoff position, we secured a 3-1 victory at the Maurice Rebak Stadium thanks to goals from Ruben Carvalho, Alex Solomon and Ben Frempah. Alex Solomon has this week re-signed for the club on a dual-registration agreement with Enfield Town - welcome back Alex!
Last Time Out
Potters Bar needed a 95th minute equaliser from Chaynie Fage-Burgin on Saturday to nab a point in a 1-1 draw against struggling Bognor Regis Town. Prior to this, it was a 4-1 defeat at Hashtag United, with the Scholars only goal coming from midfielder Joe Re.
Players to Watch
Young goalkeeper Laurie Shala is on loan from Wycombe Wanderers, impressing for the Scholars on loan during the 2023/24 season until his loan was cut short by injury, and then re-joining this season. The Kosovo Under-19 international trained with the Blues after leaving Crystal Palace, and spent time in West Ham’s academy prior to his move to the Eagles.
Meanwhile, up front, the Scholars have moved to sign Bailey Stevenson from Marc Weatherstone's Welwyn Garden City. Stevenson had been amongst the goals for the Citizens this season, into double figures early in the season, before making the move up into step 3 with Potters Bar, where he also scored on his debut.
Photos courtesy of Martin Addison.
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