Knight shines through as Wingate beat Grays
Wingate & Finchley got back to winning ways this weekend against Grays Athletic after two home defeats in a row, writes Nikhil Saglani.
Ryman League Premier Division:
Wingate & Finchley 1 Grays Athletic 0
Saturday, 20 December, 2014
The game began with both sides enjoying spells of possession but failing to register any shots on goal until the 11th minute, when Joao Carlos put Aaron Wickham’s low cross wide of Bobby Smith’s post.
Tommy Tejan-Sie and David Knight both shot straight at Conner Gough in the Grays Athletic goal as both sides struggled to create any space to test either goalkeeper. The first half ended a sombre affair as both sides failed to impose themselves on the game.
However the second half was a different story, with the home side finding space in behind – much down to the marauding runs and strength of Ola Sogbanmu, who’s shot flew over from the edge of the box after excellent work from Tejan-Sie. It was on 53 minutes when the Blues finally made the breakthrough. Tejan-Sie’s excellent performance continued and his inch-perfect pass played in Knight, who finished well across the onrushing Gough to put the hosts 1-0 up.
Two free-kicks from James Stevens gave him the chance to restore parity but both his curling efforts flew over the bar. On 65 minutes, Knight was played in on goal and was once again 1-on-1 with Gough, but could only place his curling finish wide of the target.
A late flurry of Grays chances forced resolute defending from the Wingate defence, with James Kaloczi and Marc Weatherstone both throwing themselves in the way of Grays’ attempts on goal. Smith’s excellent form in goal for Wingate continued as he prevented the visitors from levelling the score with excellent sweeping and catches.
The final whistle blew shortly after and Wingate had earned their first three points in three games after a solid, resolute showing and clinical finishing.
Wingate & Finchley:
Smith, Goodman, Marsh-Brown, Lake, Weatherstone, Kaloczi, Knight, Tejan-Sie, Sogbanmu, Graham (Oliyide 75), Rifat. Subs: Joseph, Allen, Suddell, Read.
Referee:
Lee Forrester
Attendance:
129
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