Blues shocked by league strugglers

Wingate and Finchley 0 Hornchurch 2

Ryman League Division 3

Hornchurch, who had only scored 16 times in 17 games, shocked high-fliers Wingate with this deserved win.

Consolation for Martin Burtt's men was that none of the top seven sides won. Two drew (including leaders Cheshunt at Epsom) and five were beaten.

Wingate's leading marksman Ben Strevens was always closely shadowed, allowing him little space to show his skills on the ball, let alone try a shot at goal. In fact, Hornchurch keeper Grant Lee hardly had a shot on target to save.

The home side's pressure was rewarded after 24 minutes when Andy Aransibia beat his marker and rounded Kalli to put Hornchurch in front.

As Wingate fought back, Adam Shafter's header from Tim Becker's free kick hit the top of the bar. Then Strevens, surrounded by several opponents, was brought down just outside the box, but nothing came from the free kick.

Aransibia, always a threat, had a shot deflected for a corner in the 70th minute. But he got his reward with a second goal eight minutes from time.

He won the ball on the left, played a one-two with Scot Barnett and guided the ball into the top corner of the net.

WINGATE & FINCHLEY: Kalli, Dee, Greenstreet, Bolle (Rayner, 56), Fisk, Shafter, Becker, Hart, (Piler, 45), Strevens, Silver, Baum. Substitute not used: Fenton.

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