By Blue-tinted specs
Wingate & Finchley 1 Margate 0
Margate went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat in north London against the Isthmian League’s surprise package on Saturday.
Few in the summer would have tipped Wingate to challenge for a play-off spot but this win moved them into fifth place.
The difference between the sides was a far-post header by William Cracknell just before half-time that went under visiting keeper Harry Seaden.
It followed a tetchy first half in which six yellow cards were brandished by referee Kyfer Mayhew. Four were to Wingate personnel and another two to Margate’s Sam Blackman and Lewis Knight.
Margate had Harry Hudson playing on the left side of defence in place of the suspended Archie Johnson.
In the first minute Seaden was required to touch a shot by Ruben Carvalho over the bar.
Wingate had another chance when the ball was fed to Rhamar Garrett-Douglas on the right. He found Anointed Chukwu in the middle who fired over. Chukwu then had a shot saved at the near post by Seaden.
Carvalho shot just wide at the start of the second half. Margate’s Fyn Rutherford then shot wide from distance.
Seaden made a great reaction save from a glancing header by Elliot Long following a Wingate corner.
Margate sub Phil Roberts ran at the home defence and his effort from outside the box clipped the crossbar.
Steve Cawley also hit the bar in injury time for Margate. He received the ball on his chest and volleyed from the edge of the box.
However, Wingate hit the post themselves late on with a long shot and were able to see out the four minutes of injury time to claim three points.