Wanderers travelled to Finchampstead to contest their fourth league game of the season and their fourth away league game.  With Finch just one place below Wanderers in the table, it was always going to be a hard fought match.

The home side struck first after fifteen minutes, through a penalty kick.  Tom Soane mistimed his tackle and the referee pointed to the spot.  Allan Mellor guessed the right way but the ball was driven low to his right and into the net.

One of the most noticeable improvements in Wanderers this season is their ability to come back in matches, and so it was proved again.  Ian Griffiths showed great skill on the right to beat two men and release Paul Martin who finished clinically past the Finch 'keeper.

Wanderers took the lead with ten minutes left in the first half, and again Griffiths was the provider.  After his corner had been cleared back to him, Griffiths sent a cross in and Andy Corless powered in a header from six yards out.

The Blues almost went 3-1 up when Anthony Prior's free-kick into the box was met by Corless who headed towards Tom Soane.  Unfortunately Soane's shot wasn't struck cleanly and the Finch 'keeper made a comfortable save.

As the half closed, Wanderers played some excellent passing football as they took control of the match.

Into the second half and Wanderers introduced Matthew Elliott in place Lewis Trusty.

The Blues struggled at first to reach the same level of performance that they had shown in the first half.  As Finchampstead's confidence grew they looked the more likely to score, and they did so twice. 

First a cross into the box wasn't defended and Allan Mellor was given no chance as the ball was knocked past him from close range.  Minutes later Corless was punished for not clearing the ball and Mellor was beaten by a shot to his left.

To make matters worse for Wanderers, they had lost the services of Daniel van der Laan O'Donnell and Ian Griffiths through injury.  Clint Falcus and Jamie Ryall came on to replace them.

Once again though, Wanderers' spirit came through.  They levelled the scores when Martin fed Prior who beat one man before forcing a save from the 'keeper, Tom Soane kept a cool head to nod the rebound into the net for his ninth of the season.

Just four minutes later Wanderers took the lead with a superb goal.  The hardworking Soane beat a man on the right wing and pulled a cross back which Scott Ford stylishly volleyed into the bottom corner of the net.

However, just seven minutes from time Wanderers conceded again after failing to clear.  The unfortunate Allan Mellor had no chance as a deflection took a poor shot into the net.

This was always going to be a test for the Blues and they can be proud of their performance.  A special mention to Chris Hillsdon who enjoyed one of his best ever games for Wanderers.

TEAM: Alan Mellor, Chris Hillsdon, Daniel van der Laan O'Donnell, Andy Corless, Chris Orbell, Ian Griffiths, Scott Ford, Clint Falcus, Anthony Prior, Tom Soane, Paul Martin.

SUBS: Matthew Elliott (for Trusty), Clint Falcus (for van der Laan O'Donnell), and Jamie Ryall (for Griffiths).