Wingate lose at Leatherhead

Wingate were left disappointed, losing a game they felt they should have won, as Leatherhead secured their first win in seven home matches.

Ryman League Premier Division:
Leatherhead 2 Wingate & Finchley 0
Saturday, 19 October, 2014

TABLE
FIXTURES & RESULTS

Wingate dominated much of the game, but a lack of cutting edge was coupled with two sloppily conceded goals at the other end.

Tommy Tejan-Sie had an early chance when he was put through on the left side of the area, but his attempted low shot beneath the keeper was blocked. Tejan-Sie was then provider with a flat corner, but Marc Weatherstone’s header was blocked by a defender.

Carl McCluskey and Ola Sogbanmu both fired off target, and as Wingate had dominated the entire opening 25 minutes it looked a matter of time before the goal came, but predictably it was Leatherhead who scored with a very soft goal of their own. With one long ball Carl Rook had a free chance to lob Bobby Smith as he inexplicably found himself in acres of space behind the defence.

Nico Muir met Ronayne Marsh-Brown’s cross but skimmed his header wide, before Rob Laney was pulled down in the box by a long tug of the shirt but the referee and assistant both failed to give the clear penalty.

Wingate were dominant in possession after the break too, but lacked a cutting edge in terms of creating chances. A second sloppy goal followed for the home side when the unmarked Carl Rook tapped in a rebound after the hour mark to double lead.

Leatherhead left-back Adam Green, who had been booked in the first half for hauling down Rob Laney, went straight through Nico Muir and was duly shown his marching orders. Wingate had 20 minutes to make this advantage count, but could not convert any of their numerous attacks.

Marc Weatherstone sent a flicked header off target, and substitute Leon Fisher fired straight at the underworked goalkeeper after good tricky buildup from Ola Sogbanmu on the edge of the box.

An overlapping run from Mark Goodman saw him fouled on the edge of the box, but again a penalty was not given to the luckless Blues. With four minutes remaining Tejan-Sie received Richard Graham’s through ball and attempted a delicate lob, but Wingate’s day was epitomised as the ball struck the crossbar. Leon Fisher drilled a powerful effort narrowly wide from 20 yards in the visitors’ final attack.

Wingate & Finchley Line-up:
Smith, Goodman, Marsh-Brown, Lake (Graham 70), Weatherstone, Rifat, McCluskey (Fisher 70), Sogbanmu, Laney (Knight 78), Muir, Tejan-Sie. subs: Wright, Street.

Attendance:
224

Referee:
M Goldsmith