Hadley Wood and Wingate’s chances of a top three finish in the Herts Senior County league received a major boost with a 3-1 win at home to Sandridge Rovers.

Joe Foley’s goal and a Billy Healey brace on the striker’s first appearance for the developmental side handed the Blues a comfortable victory, despite Adam Smith’s late consolation.

Hadley Wood now lie 11 points clear of fourth placed Belstone, albeit having played six games more than the Radlett-based club.

Healey, currently the seventh top scorer in the Ryman Premier Division, linked up well with midfielder Alex Hadjithemistou to craft the Blues’ first chance of the game but was pulled back as he broke through on goal.

As the referee signalled for an advantage Healey’s shot was saved by Warron Bell, with the goalkeeper reacting quickly to keep out Hadjithemistou’s follow up.

But Sandridge failed to heed the warning signs and found themselves 1-0 down 11 minutes in.

Foley took control of the ball on the wing, skinned two defenders and floated in a cross for Healey to head in at the back post.

With the home side on top both Healey and Charlie Harris put headers over the bar, the latter’s skimming the woodwork as it travelled over.

But despite being on the back foot Rovers still posed a threat – Jimmy Tabot dragged a shot wide before Smith and Stu Love forced Ross Weinrabe in to a sensational double save just before the break.

The Blues showed no signs of sitting back on their lead come the second half, however.

Williams Akei-Danquah did well to lose his marker before pulling the ball to the edge of the box for Joe Sharpe to fizz just wide of the post.

Healey’s onslaught of the Rovers goal continued as his exquisite touch took him one-on-one, but Bell stood his ground as the striker attempted to chip him from a tight angle.

Although goalscorer turned provider as Foley received Healey’s cross in acres of space and drilled Hadley Wood 2-0 up with 32 minutes to play.

Wingate eased off the pressure having been gifted some breathing space and allowed Ciaran Yapp an almost identical chance to Foley’s, but the substitute’s shot only found Weinrabe’s gloves.

Sandridge began to grow into the game and James Todd pounced on a loose touch at the back to power his way through on goal before firing wide.

Their defiance was to pay off when Smith latched on to Yapp’s pass and slotted the ball under Weinrabe to make it 2-1 with five minutes left on the clock.

A glorious chance at an equaliser was squandered when Sandridge captain Chris Green glanced a free header wide at the back post.

And the visitors were made to pay when Foley’s looping cross dropped perfectly for Healey to thwack home on the volley and send Frankie Webb’s side 3-1 up seconds before the final whistle.

With Saturday’s Aubrey Cup semi-final loss still hanging in the air around N12, this proved a comfortable victory for a young Hadley Wood and Wingate side that has displayed their unlikely maturity on numerous occasions this season.

Hadley Wood and Wingate: Weinrabe (GK), Karena, Akei-Danquah (Barry, 72’), Sharpe (C) (Chingoka, 68’), Marriott, Zakkour, Kouroushi, Hadjithemistou, Healey, Harris, Foley

Unused Sub: Webb

Referee: Andy O’Brien

Man of the Match: Alex Hadjithemistou

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