Wingate & Finchley boss Danny Nielsen praised his side’s reaction as they recovered from a 4-3 opening-day loss against Leiston to beat Hampton & Richmond Borough 4-1 on Tuesday night.

The Blues were unfortunate to lose out by the odd goal in seven in their Ryman Premier League opener on Saturday but bounced back to win at Hampton & Richmond.

Ola Sogbanmu put Wingate ahead against Borough before Charlie Moore levelled for the hosts from the penalty spot.

Scott Shulton and David Knight (2) sealed the victory after the break to provide the perfect tonic for the opening day loss.

Nielsen said: “I am absolutely delighted with the performance and result. The boys reacted well to the defeat on Saturday and were well worth the victory.

“Hampton is always a tough place to come, especially on a Tuesday night and the boys worked extremely hard, which was the foundation of the performance. We now need to take the confidence gained from tonight into another tough away game at East Thurrock on Saturday.”

At the weekend Rob Laney put Wingate ahead early on against Leiston before Gareth Heath levelled. Shulton struck after the break but goals from Joseph Francis, Craig Parker and Gareth Heath turned the game in Leiston’s favour.

Knight netted with a minute remaining but it was no more than a consolation.

Hendon manager Gary McCann felt his side didn’t create enough chances as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Met Police on Tuesday.

Two goals in eight first-half minutes from Bradley Hudson-Odoi were enough to sink the Greens, who were unable to build on a 2-0 opening-day win over Bury Town.

Reflecting on the loss, McCann said: “We had enough chances to win the game but things didn’t go for us. We didn’t take our chances at key moments in the game.

“On another day we would have got something from the game. We played our part in what was a good spectacle.

“But credit to the Police, they defended superbly and really put their bodies on the line. They didn’t give us the clear-cut chances we wanted.

“I am sure that if we had got a goal back in the first half, or early in the second, we would have got at least another one.”

Hendon had got off to the ideal start to the new season three days earlier, sinking Bury with first-half goals from Leon Smith and Kezie Ibe.