Noah Bercott sees yesterday’s FA Cup clash go to a replay

Wingate & Finchley FC's 2024/25 squad photo — Wingate & Finchley’s 2024/25 squad – (Credit – Martin Addison)

Cray Wanderers 1-1 Wingate & Finchley

A beautiful early afternoon in south London would see two sides battle it out for a space in the next round of English football’s biggest cup. In a match that saw Cray Wanderers and Wingate & Finchley face each other for the first time ever in the FA Cup, a place in the third qualifying round was at stake, which would equal the Blues’ best ever FA Cup run.

Both sets of fans were hopeful of their side being victors in this fixture. Wingate & Finchley had lost their last two games in the league, but were comfortable winners last time out in the FA Cup against Thame United. Meanwhile Cray had made a slow start to the season, but pulled off an impressive draw last week against a Horsham side who will likely be pushing for this season’s play-off places.

Cray had the first chance of the match with their number 11 Nyren Clunis shooting directly at Charlie Grainger in the Blues’ goal. Shortly after this, the Blues’ first chance came in the 12th minute with Ogo Obi having a header blocked, the ball then fell to Destiny Oladipo whose shot was tipped onto the crossbar by the home goalkeeper. Eight minutes later Cray had a wonderful chance to take the lead with Nyren Clunis again shooting at close range, but striking the left corner of the bar. The next 25 minutes saw both sides failing to create good chances with the peak of entertainment being a well worked Cray free kick which saw Wingate defender Bobby Webb block Anthony Cook’s shot for the hosts.

The half time whistle was greeted by a jeer from both sets of fans who were disappointed with their sides’ performances and hoped to see a more impressive second half.

It took until 54 minutes for fans to see signs of improvements in the quality of football they were being treated to, with Cray star-man Clunis finding Kayani who shot from outside the box directly at Grainger. Cray had another shot in the 57th minute with a half volley from Cook but his attempt was high and wide. Wingate mustered their first real chance of the second half around the hour mark with Deslandes shooting just wide of the left post. Shortly after, it was Clunis again with a golden chance but yet again he was unable to give his side the lead, due to a super save from Grainger.

The next ten minutes saw Cray dominate proceedings, meanwhile last season’s player of the year Mathew Achuba made his return for the Blues, replacing Mikey O’Donoghue.

Finally, in the 75th minute, there was a goal. It came for the home team, as Cray’s Frankie Raymond swung in a dangerous cross from a corner from the left for David Ijaha to head the ball past Grainger at the near post. With Cray looking the better side and pushing for a second it looked as though Wingate were going to be exiting the FA Cup. This was until substitute Zack Newton came charging down the pitch in the third minute of additional time and was fouled by his man in the box, leading the referee no choice but to award a penalty for Wingate. Up stepped number 9 Ogo Obi to hit the ball just past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner of the net for his eighth goal of the season in as many games. For the final minutes of the match Wingate defended well to earn a replay on Tuesday night.

Wingate & Finchley: Grainger; Cracknell; Webb; Tanimowo; Frempah; Iontton; Garrett-Douglas; Deslandes (Roberts 79′); Obi; Oladipo (Newton 71′); O’Donoghue (Achuba 62′)

Unused subs: Adegoke, Byron

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