Five-star Wingate relegated on goal difference
Wingate & Finchley produced a stunning 5-0 victory, but were still relegated from the Ryman Premier Division on goal difference, writes Paul Lerman.
Ryman League Premier Division:
Wingate & Finchley 5 Billericay Town 0
Saturday, 26 April, 2014
Ahmet Rifat, who ended up with a hat-trick, opened the scoring on 14 minutes, beating former-teammate Ryan Scott to the ball then lofting it over the helpless goalkeeper. Then three minutes later Leon Fisher had doubled the lead. With an instinctive toe-poke he found the bottom right corner from close range.
Wingate were well on top as Rifat drilled a shot wide, though Isaac Layne fired from distance which Smith gathered well. He then made an incredible stop from Ricky Sapperton’s one-on-one.
With results going well elsewhere, it would take a seven-goal swing to doom Wingate & Finchley, however that is exactly what followed in a startling second half. Meanwhile on the pitch Wingate went from strength to strength. Three minutes after the break Rifat headed home Josh Kennet’s corner to seal the points.
Evans Kouassi had Billericay’s best chance with a tricky run after a break down the left side was switched to the right, but he fired straight at Smith.
After the hour mark Scott Shulton turned home with an accurate low strike to make it four from Kennet’s low cross midway through the half. Kennet found the side netting, before Rifat scored with eight minutes remaining after Read’s shot was deflected into his path.
However, it was not to be enough as results went the wrong way and Wingate were left to face relegation by manner of goal difference.
Wingate & Finchley Lineup:
Smith, Aisien, Wright (Mccall 84), Sogbanmu (Bolle 82), Weatherstone, Street, Kennet, Shulton, Rifat, Tejan-Sie, Fisher (Read 80). subs: McGonigle, Suddell.
Referee:
A Pigott
Attendance:
228
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