Wingate exit FA Cup (From Times Series)

Wingate & Finchley exit the FA Cup after 2-1 defeat against Bury Town

2:02pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in Sport

Wingate & Finchley’s FA Cup adventure is over as the Blues suffered a 2-1 defeat at fellow Ryman Premier Division side Bury Town.

However Dave Norman’s men will be disappointed they didn’t earn at least a replay as they fought well throughout the contest.

After an early chance for Town, Wingate began to take control but failed to test the host’s goalkeeper.

Bury held off the pressure and on 33 minutes they went ahead. Striker Lee Reed received the ball in the box and was given time to turn and scramble a shot past Blues’ stopper Bobby Smith.

However, Wingate fought back and quickly grabbed an equaliser to send to two sides in level at the interval.

Leon Smith was found inside the area and the powerful striker spun and smashed an unstoppable half volley into the bottom corner.

Wingate began the second period brightly and just two minutes after the restart had a great chance to establish a lead.

Murat Karagul was tripped in the area and the referee pointed to the spot. David Laird stepped up to take the penalty, but his strike was easily saved by the Bury keeper.

Wingate’s Bobby Smith was then forced to make an outstanding save as Bury pushed forward, but despite the keeper’s best efforts, the home side regained the lead on 67 minutes.

A cross into the box was met by Billy Clark and his looping header back across the goal nestled in the corner of the net.

Five minutes later, it could have been 3-1 but the excellent Paul Wright produced a fine block to deflect a shot wide.

From the resulting corner, Daniel Nielsen made an outstanding goal line clearance to keep the Blues in the game.

Despite late pressure, the away side couldn’t find a much deserved equaliser and exited the cup competition.

Wingate pick up the Wembley trail again next week with a home FA Trophy tie against local rivals Potters Bar.