MATCH PREVIEW: WINGATE & FINCHLEY

The Wood travel to Wingate & Finchley on Tuesday for a 7.30pm kick-off. Here’s our preview……..

Where?

The game will take place at The Maurice Rebak Stadium on Summers Lane, based in Finchley, in the London Borough of Barnet.

Team News

Luke Garrard could name an unchanged eleven for his third pre-season fixture as his new-look side begin to gel.

Ryan Johnson, Kane Smith and Shaun Jeffers all made their full-debuts against Biggleswade Town on Saturday afternoon and will be hoping to retain their places on Tuesday night.

There are no fresh injury concerns going into the fixture, but Dean Wells will again be absent as a precaution.

Form Guide

The Wood have hit the ground running in pre-season with two wins from two and will be hoping that Wingate & Finchley will again provide a step up in quality.

Ricky Shakes has been in fine form this pre-season; his goals against Biggleswade Town mean that he has three goals from three games and he will again be key for Garrard’s side.

There was also a goal for academy graduate Bradley Sach, who will be looking to fire his way into the manager’s thoughts ahead of the new campaign.

Managed by former Northern Ireland defender Keith Rowland, Wingate and Finchley play in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Known as The Blues, Rowland’s side will provide another strong test for Luke Garrard and his men ahead of Luton Town on Saturday.

From the Dugout – Luke Garrard

“They have a lovely pitch, they look to play and I think that it is really realistic going into teams at that level because it is competitive.

“Because of their quality, we know that there won’t be a testimonial feel to it, so I think that the boys will be in for a very good test on Tuesday.

“I feel that the team were competitive Saturday and I felt that Biggleswade offered us a very good test and I think that Tuesday evening will be very similar.

“Obviously the first three matches are always going to be bitty, you look to utilise as many bodies as possible and only give people 45-60 minutes.

“You will start to see a fully competitive side when we reach the final few fixtures, the ones against your Luton’s and your Arsenal’s.”