Wingate & Finchley proved they have what it takes to compete at a higher level with a fully deserved thrashing of Ryman Premier side Ashford Town in Tuesday night's FA Trophy replay.

Just like the previous encounter, Wingate & Finchley took an early lead. A corner in the tenth minute was whipped in by Tim Lees and Marvin Samuel rose at the near post to head home.

Wingate & Finchley defended all over the pitch with outstanding commitment and intensity, and were fully worthy of keeping a clean sheet throughout the first half. It was from set pieces at the other end that the goals flooded in, as Lees' deliveries caused panic in Ashford's defence.

The lead was doubled on the half hour mark as again it came via a Lees set piece. His free kick from a central area 40 yards out went right through the area untouched, leaving the keeper helpless as it bounced into the top left corner.

The third goal came just three minutes before the beak, and this time Lees earned his second assist. His corner landed perfectly in the six yard area, and amongst the chaos Craig Ellis was on hand to rifle the ball home from close range.

The second half continued the same as the first, as Wingate & Finchley pressed all over the pitch and looked to hit Ashford on the counter. On the hour mark the win was secured with a fourth goal. Chris Chase broke clear down the left wing and tried to square the ball to Ola Williams. The ball was a little behind him so he gathered it on the edge of the area before shooting. The shot fell to the feet of Lees in front of goal who diverted it home.

Again the Blues never gave up and refused to let the scoreline affect their mentality. They did however understandably tire towards the latter stages, and Ashford scored two excellent late consolation goals.

The first came in the 81st minute. A long range shot was tipped onto the post by Gavin King, but centre-forward Gavin Smith was on hand to tap in the rebound. Smith then had another chance a few moments later when he raced through on the left side but he flashed his shot across goal and beyond the far post.

At the other end, Wingate & Finchley still looked to add to their goal tally when Samuel rode a challenge on the halfway line and broke free from midfield. He played in Chase with a low through-ball but he shot wide of the left post.

Jon Palmer scored in the final minute to give pride to the scoreline with a superb curling shot into the top right corner from 15 yards but it was too little too late for the humbled Premier League team.

Wingate & Finchley: Gavin King, Ola Williams (Marc Weatherstone 81), Keiran Street, Bobby Aisien, Michael Sacks, Ahmet Rifat, Marvin Samuel, Wayne Grant (Leon Nelson 75), Chris Chase, Tim Lees (Joe O'Brien 70). Callum Horton, Dean Williams.

PAUL LERMAN