Wingate & Finchley FC joint-manager Dave Norman says he is pleased with the direction the club are heading in after six 19-year-olds were included in the side beaten 3-2 at Kingstonian.

The Blues lost at Kingsmeadow due to a late winner from Welling United loanee Charlie Penny but for Norman and joint-boss Danny Nielsen, the game represented an impressive milestone in itself.

“We are extremely pleased [with our league position of ninth]. The players we have brought through from the youth team have done really well this season and we had six players under the age of 19 in the squad against Kingstonian and that, mixed with the experience we have got, is creating strong foundations for next season.

“We have a side that is going to go from strength to strength over the next couple of years if you can keep hold of these players.”

And producing their own fits into the Isthmian Premier Division side’s philosophy for the future. Norman explained: “We have financial restrictions at this club and the ethos of the club is to develop talent from north east London and that is what we believe in here.

“At times we can be a little bit naive in terms of how we defend but that is going to happen,” he added.

Kingstonian took the lead after seven minutes when Malachi Hudson cut in from the left and fired a low shot beyond Isthmian Premier Division goalkeeper of the month, Bobby Smith.

Wingate replied shortly after though; Tommy Tejan-Sie picking out the run of Ola Sogbanmu who crashed the ball beyond K’s goalkeeper Rob Tolfrey from 25 yards.

And shortly before the break Wingate went in front for the first time. Tolfrey dropped a David Knight free kick and Ahmed Rifat was on hand to force home.

However, the lead lasted just four minutes in a topsy-turvy affair as Penny drilled home from the corner of the penalty area to equalise.

The Blues enjoyed more of the play in the second half but could not make it count and in the 90th minute Penny snatched his second, following in after substitute Jesse Darko forced a stop from Smith.

Reflecting on the defeat, Norman mused: “It was frustrating as I thought we did exceptionally well. But credit to Kingstonian for coming from behind to take the lead.

“I think we felt in the second half we could take three points from the game but then circumstances change and we end up losing.”

Wingate host Leatherhead at the Harry Abrahams Stadium on Saturday.

The week has been a washout for Hendon, who saw Saturday’s clash with AFC Hornchurch and Monday’s Isthmian League Cup tie with Maidstone United postponed.

Gary McCann’s side were scheduled to face the Stones in a re-arranged fixture yesterday (Wednesday). The Greens travel to Margate on Saturday.

Edgware Town hit nine as they thrashed Amersham 9-1 in the Spartan South Midlands Division One on Tuesday.

Hat-tricks from Adem Ali, Jay Molloy and Bilal Butt sealed the Wares biggest win of the season.

Michael Roche’s side travel to Bush Hill Rangers on Saturday.