Wingate & Finchley demolished Ryman South promotion-chasing Met Police to reach the Championship Manager League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

The Blues romped to a 5-2 victory with goals from Leon Smith (2), Jordan Fowler, Gary Burrell and Josh Cooper.

Having edged through on penalties in the previous two rounds, Wingate gave their supporters a much more comfortable evening as they raced into a 3-0 lead early in the game.

Despite a mini revival by Met Police, Wingate secured a place in the last four despite playing for the whole game with centre half Ahmet Rifat between the posts.

After an unfortunate injury in the warm up to regular keeper Gavin King, Rifat was forced to wear the gloves again just two weeks after playing in goal against Maldon due to the dismissal of Bobby Smith.

Boss David Norman was delighted with the team’s seventh consecutive win.

He said: “It was extremely pleasing to reach the semi finals having already beaten quality sides in the division above. It shows the quality that we have here at the club. However, unless we get through to the final all our hard work counts for nothing." On Rifat, Norman commented: “Ahmet showed composure and a calmness after Gavin was unfortunately injured.”