What a difference 90 minutes can make.
As most were making their way from Finchley to Canvey Island this afternoon through the driving rain, there would have been at least some trepidation, given the amount of rain that had fallen in the previous 24 hours, and given the regularity with which games have been cancelled for waterlogged pitches in the past few years.
Fast forward a few hours: Destiny Oladipo has just netted a 94th minute winner, the sun is shining, and there are smiles all round as the players come to greet and thank the travelling fans. The Blues are back to winning ways.
It could have been so different.
Canvey Island had twice gone ahead in the game, both as the result of defensive mishaps in the Blues’ box. Their first goal, after only four minutes, was the result of new goalkeeper Charlie Grainger and Blues stalwart Ben Frempah both attempting to clear a ball into the box. They got in each other’s way and the ball fell to Jamie Salmon who fired the ball into the open net and ratcheted up the anxiety one notch for the travelling Blues fans.
The anxiety levels weren’t helped on the hour mark, when a seemingly innocuous ball in from Canvey left-back Tom Stephens got caught in the wind, and evaded the reach of Grainger to find itself nestled in the back of the net. It was a goal from quite literally nothing, and the Blues found themselves down on the scoresheet once more.
But if this season has taught us anything, it's that the 24/25 edition of Wingate & Finchley is nothing if not resilient. Down twice, they dug deep by the Essex seafront and mounted a spirited comeback to claim all three points.
Destiny Oladipo scored two of them, and they were both goals the striker should be proud of, each displaying his different strengths.
His first, a powerful header from a corner, rattled the crossbar before he outmuscled defenders to bury the rebound. His second, deep into stoppage time, came after some slick play down the left. Ayo's low cross was met by Oladipo, who slid in to steer the ball home from close range, sealing a thrilling win.
His winner was only the winner however because of some more excellent play down the left in the 65th minute, which allowed Deslandes and O’Donoghue to combine to once again rescue the Blues from a position of defeat. This goal was a carbon copy of the last gasp winner, with O’Donoghue putting in the dangerous ball, and Deslandes showing his determination to beat his man and fire home from 6 yards out.
In truth, they were three excellent goals, and they showed that, while the Blues weren’t their sharpest on the pitch for the full 90 today, they are capable of inflicting damage against anyone, at any time of the game.
With momentum back on their side, the Blues are set to face Potters Bar on Bank Holiday Monday at Maurice Rebak Stadium. Don't miss your chance to see the team in action as they aim to continue their winning ways in what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
Wingate & Finchley: Grainger; Cracknell; Byron; Talla (Iontton 34’); Frempah; Lowe; Tanimowo (Webb 90+6); Deslandes (Georgiou 78’); Obi (Newton 78’); Oladipo; O’Donoghue (Roberts 85’)
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