FINCHAMPSTEAD secured a first Hellenic League Division One win of the season with a hard-fought 2-0 success at Rayners Lane, writes Richard Ashton.
The visitors began well and Lane goalkeeper Przemek Mierzwa had to be on his mettle in the early stages as Nathan Onreat-Wells and Greg Alexander looked dangerous.
Finch nearly took the lead from a Sam Green free-kick, Gavin Rolls creating a chance only for Mierzwa to snatch the ball from his feet.
However, they did take the lead as the break loomed, Alexander running on to the ball and prodding it past the hapless Mierzwa with 42 minutes gone.
The joy of going in front was quickly tempered, however, when Onreat-Wells received a second yellow card following an innocuous challenge to leave Finch with 10 men for the second half.
Yet the visitors redoubled their efforts and remained the better side, nearly extending their advantage after Freddie Barron released Alexander.
Mierzwa was able to repel his effort but Finchampstead continued to dominate and Rolls had a further two chances well saved.
However, they deservedly went 2-0 in front on 62 minutes when Alexander grabbed his second of the game, and Finch could have put the game completely to bed only for a couple of chances to go begging.
A rare raid by Rayners gave Denzil Osai-Emmanuel a chance but he fired over, before another Green free-kick caused panic among the home side’s defence.
The visitors rang the changes towards the end of the contest and gave a debut to Chase Jacobs, who broke through and was denied by the outstanding Mierwza before firing his rebound wide.
Rayners Lane nearly snatched a consolation through Justin Niagasa but his header across the face of goal over-ran past the far post.
The success lifts Jon Laugharne’s men into eighth in the table, having picked up five points from their opening four games.
Finchampstead visit Henley Town on Saturday (3pm).
Eversley & California maintained their 100 per cent start to the Combined Counties League Division One season with a 5-3 victory at home against Dorking Wanderers Reserves. The Boars were hoping to make it five wins in a row when they visited Alresford Town last night, and they then face a visit to table-topping CB Hounslow United on Saturday (3pm).
Sandhurst Town benefitted from a brilliant start to seal their first win of the season with a 2-0 success at home to Dorking Town.
The Fizzers made a dream start when they opened the scoring in the third minute through Matthew Cooper. Sandhurst went on to double the lead eight minutes later when Alexander Joffers rounded keeper James Hodel-Murphy. Their game at Ash United on Monday was postponed, and the Fizzers visit Redhill in the Challenge Cup this Saturday (3pm).