MATCH REPORT - Wingate & Finchley - 29/11/25

Wingate & Finchley 2 (Akinola 54, Keller 63) – Billericay Town 2 (Collis 44 (pen), Long 53)

Former Billericay man Cain Keller’s superb second half strike denied his old club all three points as Wingate fought back from two goals down to earn a point at Summers Lane. His goal arrived just nine minutes after Romeo Akinola had halved the deficit, cancelling out Teddy Collis’ penalty on the stroke of half time and a brilliant Elliot Long effort early in the second period.

On a lively afternoon in north London, the action came with its fair share of controversy. Wingate were adamant they should have had a penalty inside two minutes when Keon Lewis-Burgess appeared to haul down Casey Shann in the area, but referee Joshua Evans waved play on.

Billericay gradually took control and began creating the clearer chances. Daniel Izekor sent a header straight at Jamie Grossart before Jack Evans struck the post with a low drive on 20 minutes. Matt Johnson then saw a looping header drift inches wide, and Liam Nash went close with a free kick that curled past the far upright.

Wingate still carried danger on the break and passed up their best opening of the half on 33 minutes when Gianluca Botti fired narrowly wide from close range. Jay Porter then produced an excellent block to deny Ayyuba Jambang five minutes before the interval.

Moments later, Billericay finally broke the deadlock. Johnson’s low cross found Tommy Davis who was brought down in the box, and Collis stepped up to send Grossart the wrong way from the spot.

There was still time for a flashpoint before the whistle, when Ricay midfielder Tyrell Miller Rodney flew into a challenge with Wingate playmaker Caoilan McGettigan – a tackle that saw the home #10 stretchered off at half time.

Despite strong protests from the home side and discussion with his assistant, the referee showed only a yellow card. The tension carried into the tunnel, where Wingate coach Ola Williams was shown a straight red during the break for his protests.

Billericay started the second half quickly and should have doubled their lead within two minutes. Collis raced through one on one, only for Grossart to produce a superb save. Evans then hit the woodwork for the second time when his free kick crashed off the bar.

The visitors did find a second goal on 53 minutes, and in spectacular fashion. After winning the ball high up the pitch, former Wingate star Long bent a stunning strike into the far corner to spark celebrations among the travelling support.

However, the momentum swung almost immediately, as Wingate reduced the deficit within sixty seconds as Billericay failed to deal with an attack down the left, and Akinola’s low effort had just enough to beat Sam Donkin and give the hosts a lifeline.

Wingate pushed forward with renewed belief and drew level nine minutes later. Another neat move down the left created space for substitute Keller, who beat his man and picked out the top right corner with a precise finish that left Donkin with no chance.

Both sides had opportunities to snatch the win but couldn’t find the required composure. Nash’s acrobatic strike flew just over with twenty minutes left, while Botti wasted a golden chance in the closing stages, sending his effort off target with the goal at his mercy.

The game opened up in the final minutes, swinging rapidly from end to end before the referee brought an absorbing contest to a close. The point stretches Billericay’s unbeaten league run to six matches, while Wingate collect their first point in three outings and remain well in the playoff chase.

Wingate and Finchley: Grossart; Horsley McKay, Chidi, Lowe, Stallard; Watt (Cornish 46), Akinola (Cue 73); Jambang, McGettigan (Keller 46), Shann; Botti

Subs not used: Garrett Douglas, Townsend West

Billericay Town: Donkin; Lewis Burgess, Davis, Johnson, Porter; Miller Rodney, Evans; Nash, Long, Collis (Owen 76); Izekor (Scott 88)

Subs not used: Barnum Bobb, Parsons, Steward

Referee: Joshua Evans

Attendance: 226

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