Wingate are back in relegation dogfight after Enfield derby

Marc Weatherstone (right) in action for Wingate. Pic: Martin Addison

Wednesday, February 27, 2013
4:07 PM

Ryman League Premier Division:

Wingate & Finchley 1 Enfield Town 2

Wingate are back in the relegation mire after they squandered an early lead against fellow strugglers Enfield Town on Tuesday night.

The Blues made an ideal start as they broke from an Enfield corner and Marc Weatherstone’s cross was headed in by Scott Bellotti.

Anthony Thomas and John Christian went close to increasing the home side’s lead, but Town gradually took control, with striker Adam Wallace causing problems for the Wingate back line.

The visitors levelled nine minutes before half-time as Osa Obamwonyi was penalised for handling inside the area and veteran frontman Scott McGleish beat Bobby Smith with the spot-kick.

Thomas almost put the Blues back in front after the break when a surging run from Wayne O’Sullivan sent him clear, but his shot from a tight angle was tipped wide.

Town continued to dominate and McGleish headed over from a free-kick before Mark Kirby went one better, nodding in on the hour mark to give the visitors the lead.

Wingate were floundering and their opponents should have wrapped up the points, but Jay Siva and Wallace were denied by Smith, while Kirby blazed another opportunity over at the far post.

The home side did muster one glorious chance to salvage a point, when substitute Hector Mackie’s cross picked out the unmarked Bellotti, who headed over from six yards.

Tuesday’s defeat followed a 2-1 reverse at Metropolitan Police three days earlier, when Andre Scarlett was on target for the Blues.