Wingate & Finchley 2 Sittingbourne 1
Southern League Division One East
by ADAM RYNHOLD

In-form Wingate & Finchley made it one defeat in 11 league and cup games thanks to strikes from the ever-improving Daniel Stanton and Simon Patterson.

The Blues opened the scoring after six minutes with a move begun by Patterson. He fed Sam Sloma, who then rolled the ball into the path of Stanton, who curled it beyond the reach of the keeper.

Sittingbourne were then thwarted by Wingate keeper Ed Thompson, who found himself having to face up to his third penalty in successive games. But, as with the previous two, he proved more than equal to the task.

Unfortunately, the visitors could not be kept at bay for much longer and, with the Blues struggling to clear their lines, Kieran Marsh drove in a low shot from the edge of the area to level.

The winner came just after the hour, with Paul Linger finding Patterson, who kept his shot low for his fifth goal in Wingate colours.

Patterson, who joined Wingate from Beaconsfield SYCOB, said he was pleased to be finding the net for his new team. "It is important for confidence to get the first goal and I am now looking to score a goal every two games," he said. "It is great that the lads are trying to set me up and if I get chances, I try to finish them."

Wingate travel to Dartford this Saturday and then host Potters Bar Town on Tuesday.