Wingate maintain unbeaten start to 2015
Ryman League Premier Division:
Wingate & Finchley 2 Lewes 0
Saturday, 24 January, 2015
It was the visitors who started the game better, unable to capitalise by creating any clear cut chances. Wingate took charge and had a penalty shout turned down on 11 minutes after a collision between Tommy Tejan-Sie and Chris Breach. However, the hosts scored the opener on 20 minutes when Rob Laney picked out David Knight, whose shot squirmed underneath the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Knight had another chance ten minutes later but fired over high and wide when cutting in on his left foot.
However, on 34 minutes, Knight fed Tejan-Sie, who played in Karl Oliyide to double the hosts’ lead with a finish into the top corner, the keeper unable to get a firm hand on the ball. Wingate had further chances to extend their lead through Tejan-Sie and Richard Graham, but Lewes keeper Rikki Banks was able to keep the hosts at bay.
The home side began the second half very well and a midfield of Richard Graham, Gavin Suddell and Tejan-Sie controlled proceedings in the centre of the park, protected by Stuart Lake.
Tejan-Sie had a goal disallowed on 67 minutes after his shot flew in from the edge of the box. The linesman had adjudged there to have been a player in the eyeline of the goalkeeper and ruled the goal out.
Laney, Knight, Suddell and Jack Read all had chances to put the game to bed but a series of good blocks, saves and tackles prevented the hosts from going three ahead. Tejan-Sie was played in by Knight but his shot was very well saved by the feet of Banks. Laney also had an audacious overhead kick blocked bravely by Sam Cole.
In the dying embers, Ronayne Marsh-Brown slid in with a beautiful tackle to prevent Leroy Griffiths from pulling one back, throwing himself in the way and picking up a slight knock. However, Bobby Smith did not have a save to make all game in what was a superb overall performance from the defence. Wingate showed character and resolve to hold on and secure all three points.
Wingate & Finchley:
Smith; Goodman, Hewitt, Weatherstone, Marsh-Brown; Graham (Rifat, 82), Tejan-Sie, Lake, Oliyide (Suddell, 40); Knight (Read, 92), Laney. Subs: Wright, Metcalfe.
Lewes:
Banks, S. Crabb, Cole, Rowe, Breach, Fraser, Wheeler (Hopkinson, 52), Davis (Muggeridge, 68), Romain, Fraser (Griffiths, 76), M. Crabb.
Attendance:
167
Referee:
Stephen Daly
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