Monday's FA Trophy review

Wingate & Finchley and Whitstable will both be flying the flag in the next round of the FA Trophy for the Ryman League after winning their replays on Monday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Southern Premier outfit Hitchin Town started as favourites against Ryman Premier Wingate & Finchley after holding them at the Abrahams Stadium on Saturday.

But on a miserable night the Canaries went down 1-0 at home, despite being on top for large chunks of the game and striking the woodwork on more than one occasion – including a Michael Noone effort from fully 30 yards which hit the outside of the post and went wide.

The only goal of the game finally arrived five minutes before half-time when Wingate's Ahmet Rifat struck. They had to work hard to hold onto their lead though.

Keeper Cain Davies diverted a deflected Hitchin shot onto his crossbar midway through the second half and their luck held out to book a home tie against Southern League Central leaders Daventry Town in the next round.

Whitstable Town set up a Kent derby at league rivals Hythe Town in the Second Qualifying Round after winning 2-1 at another Southern Central side in Potters Bar Town.

The Oystermen stormed back to win following a poor first half where they appeared to be second best. Potters Bar took a deserved lead on 23 minutes when Josh Hutchinson got on the end of a corner and looped a header into the back of the net.

There were very few attacking opportunities created by the visitors until the 29th minute when a Scott Heard cross was tipped away by Ed Thompson in the Potters Bar goal.

But whatever Whitstable boss Nicky Southall said at half-time seemed to work as just four minutes after the restart they were back on level terms when Ashley Baverstock fired home. And within three minutes they'd turned the tie on its head when Joe Kane had a free header from a corner to put them into the lead.

There was still danger from the hosts on the break but Town’s defence stood firm after that with keeper Luke Watkins pulling off two top saves in injury time to send them safely through without the need for extra-time.