Aveley 2

Wingate & Finchley 0

The mid-February spring-like weather seemed to fool Wingate into thinking the season was almost over and there wasn't much left to play for.

In the first half as the north Londoners struggled to escape from their own half with an inconceivable series of miskicked or poorly aimed clearances making Aveley look better than they were.

The Blues produced a cacophony of errors in defence and in the 14th minute the hosts scored when Trevor Paul sent the ball through the middle to CJ Emmanuel who lifted over Adam Solomons from 17 yards with the Wingate defence spread-eagled.

Midway through the half, defender Robbi Whytock came out the worst in a heavy tackle with a bruised calf muscle and was helped off.

Aveley's Marc Bentley headed just wide from Tony Slatford's cross followed by Andy Myers trying to loop the ball in from 30 yards -- he wasn't that far amiss.

After 42 minutes a move involving Trevor Paul and Donovan Wilson found Marc Bentley, who fired a half-volley into the top corner from 20 yards.

Sub Tommy Aries Wingate regain some lost pride after the break with some excellent midfield passes in a much-improved performance, as Aveley decided to sit on their two goal lead.

Keeper Chris Fitkin spilled it a Steve Kessack shot, Danny Piler sent a one-touch shot curling wide from a corner and Aries sent a twisting header wide from a Strevens cross.

Andy Myers was booked after a flare-up with Brad Quinton near the end, and both men were booked, and that was the last excitement of the game as Aveley held out comfortably.

WINGATE & FINCHLEY: Solomons, Whytock (Rayner 25), Piler, Brill, Greenstreet, Hanover (Aries 45), Hart, Pearl (Lenchner 70), Strevens, Myers, Kessack.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.