Bostik Premier: Wingate & Finchley 1 Met Police 0
Wingate & Finchley's Ahmet Rifat looks to tackle a Harlow Town opponent with team-mate Marc Charles-Smith offering support (pic: Martin Addison) - Credit: Archant
Below-par Wingate & Finchley ground out a hard-fought win at the Maurice Rebak Stadium on Saturday.
Wingate & Finchley players look happy (pic Martin Addison) - Credit: Archant
Afolabi Obafemi’s goal, early in the second half, proved enough for Keith Rowland’s men to bank the points and moved them closer to the play-off places, with games in hand on most of the teams above them in the table.
Shane Gore tipped an early effort from Tom Bird over the bar, before Ahmet Rifat volleyed wide at the other end.
Gore parried a long-range strike from Alec Fiddes on 24 minutes as the scoreline remained blank at the break, after a largely dour first half played in poor conditions.
But Wingate got their noses in front five minutes after the restart when Charley Barker’s inswinging corner was met by Obafemi, who powered a header past Police keeper Thomas Williams.
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And the hosts had a chance for a second six minutes later when Rifat played Reece Beckles-Richards through on goal, but his shot did not trouble Williams.
Police went close when Bird’s corner flew across the face of goal and wide of the far post on the hour and another set-piece fell to Jeremy Arthur on 69 minutes, but his effort was blocked by Rob Laney.
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Goalscorer Obafemi made way for Quentin Monville for the final 12 minutes as the home side held on for a third victory in four to the delight of Sean Cronin, who took the Twitter to post: “Another great win for @WinFinchleyFC we weren’t at our best but ground out the win.”
Man of the match Barker added: “Great result today @WinFinchleyFC delighted to get an assist and MOM.”
Wingate are back in action on Tuesday when they make the trip south of the river to take on leaders Dulwich Hamlet at Champion Hill.
Wingate: Gore, Ifil, Mavila, Eales, Cronin, Rifat, Barker, Laney, Charles-Smith, Beckles-Richards, Obafemi (Monville 78). Unused subs: Pattie, Tejan-Sie, Conteh, Dickson.
Attendance: 90.