Ambers make it three wins in five days to keep play-off hopes alive

Cheshunt kept the pressure up on the top five following a comfortable 3-0 win over Wingate and Finchley, who are now starting to look over their shoulder.

Craig Edwards’ side took the reigns from the get-go and controlled possession as well as the tempo of the game. Wingate & Finchley never got a foothold on the ball, and subsequently spent large portions of the first half on the back foot.

The hosts were forced into an early switch midway through the first half, but this did not affect the flow of the game as Cheshunt took the lead approaching the half-hour mark.

A long ball caught some Wingate players out of position, and Reece Beckles-Richards took it on the half volley and hammered past a helpless Ben Goode.

Just moments after giving his side the lead, Beckles-Richards doubled his money and fired home for the second time in quick succession against his former club. Another lapse in defensive concentration allowed the Cheshunt number seven to slot home his 11th goal of the campaign.

Whilst the Blues made significant improvements in the second half, it was not enough to manufacture any clear cut opportunities, and their attacks were comfortably dealt with by the Cheshunt defence.

As the game entered its final quarter, it became very disjointed with injury stoppages and substitutions affecting the flow of the game.

The points were put beyond doubt for Cheshunt in stoppage time when Joe Re swept home his first goal of the season from a corner kick – a great way to round off a clinical performance for the Ambers.

The Hertfordshire side leapfrogged their way from 10th into 7th following their win and will take great confidence from the fact that they have games in hand on all of those above them. Edwards’ side will now turn their attention to the Hertfordshire Senior Cup Semi-Final on Tuesday, where they will return to Theobalds Lane to face Hitchin Town.

Meanwhile, Brightlingsea Regent’s epic 3-2 comeback triumph at Horsham means that Wingate and Finchley are just four points above 20th spot, and potential relegation (Subject to Isthmian League decision). The Blues will next host Horsham in a crucial Isthmian League encounter in North London.

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