Margate Comeback At Hornchurch
Margate picked up a vital three points of the road with goals from Kadell Daniel and Tobi Sho-Silva enough to secure a 2-1 victory at AFC Hornchurch on Saturday afternoon.
Following a disappointing start to the mid-week fixture against Carshatlon, Margate came out the blocks well with a trademark Alex Flisher throw-in showing signs of intent early on.
Sho-Silva demonstrated his threat minutes later, positioned in the right place at the right time to get a shot towards goal from a Margate free-kick.
Despite an encouraging start, the hosts broke the deadlock with their first chance of the game.
Margate Manager Jay Saunders identified him as the danger-man before kick-off and Sean Marks showed exactly why when he pounced on a deflected effort to direct the ball past Louis Wells.
The Gate responded emphatically moments later with a well-constructed equaliser. A Flisher free-kick was artfully headed across goal by Skipper Liam Friend and in-form Daniel was able to get the ball over the line.
As the contest began to open up, The Urchins could have reinstated their lead when a Spence strike was heading towards goal but Wells was on hand to make a fine save.
Margate were enjoying a good spell with the strike force causing problems including Noel Leighton who showed great physicality to shrug off some challenges to fire a shot wide.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men after half an hour when Marks responded poorly to a Tom Mills challenge.
With the one -man advantage heading into the second half, Margate were able to capitalise through Sho-Silva.
Goal-scorer turned provider, Daniel produced a pinpoint cross for his team mate to head home.
A battle ensued as Hornchurch looked for a way back into the match as Margate searched to extend their lead.
Returning back on loan to The Blues, George Brown added further pace down the wing and was able to launch a shot towards the visitor’s goal whilst Leighton followed up with a similar effort minutes later.
Margate had the post to thank as late into the fixture, Hornchurch rattled the bar courtesy of a Lewis Spence header.
Saunders’ side displayed their resilience to hold on to their slender advantage taking an important three points back to Kent.
Margate: Wells, Dymond, Mills, Rogers, Friend, Swift, Daniel, Robins, Leighton, Sho-Silva (Paxman 87), Flisher (Brown 66)
Subs – Kallameier, Ababio, Williams
Attendance 273