Wingate & Finchley 0
Ford United 0
Wingate & Finchley deserved this well-earned point, their first in 11 games, against Ryman League third division promotion hopefuls Ford United on Saturday.
Ford, who had thrashed Flackwell heath 8-0 two weeks earlier, came to Finchley in a confident mood, but left with their tails between their legs, having dropped two valuable points that could deprive them of promotion.
Wingate commanded the midfield and monopolised the left flank for most of the match, until they relaxed their grip 15 mintues from time and Ford hit the bar with four minutes left.
But despite this spirited performance, the Blues' finishing was poor with shots sent wildly over or wide.
Ford's shooting ability was not much better, with more efforts on target, but often straight into the arms of keeper Adam Solomons.
Hadley Silver, a find from Sunday soccer, was confident on the ball and outstanding on the left flank. He combined well with 16-year-old Ashley Green as they moved the ball down the wing at speed
Ford's Dan Reilly and Paul Rogan fused well in early attempts, but Solomons proved more than a match for their efforts, blocking and saving well.
From Silver's cross, Danny Piler sent a looping shot over the bar, and when Piler crossed, the onrushing Russell Brill who just couldn't get his foot to it.
Following a slick exchange with Barry Silkman, who beat two opponents deftly, Portman reached for the return pass, but the ball was deflected for a corner.
Portman returned to his defensive duties with a goal-line clearance to keep out Dave Reilly's lob, after Solomons had been drawn from his goal.
As Ford stepped up a gear before the break, Solomons managed to divert a powerful from Rogan over the bar.
Portman's 20-yard drive was well saved by Chapman, and Green burst down the wing and delivered a dangerous cross that nobody was on hand to convert
Wingate had a late let-off when Ford substitute Jeff Munday beat Solomons with a lob that hit the bar.
WINGATE & FINCHLEY: Solomons, Brill, Silver (Hanover 71min), Portman, Rayner, Greenstreet, Silkman, Myers, Piler, Reed, Green. Subs: Burke, Lenchner.
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