Blues in Seventh Heaven
Margate made it seven wins on the spin as the comfortable saw off bottom of the table side Burgess Hill Town 2-0 at Hartsdown Park.
First half goals from front men Frannie Collin and Jordan Chiedozie saw the Blues up to second in the table, after playoff rivals Dulwich Hamlet drew with Enfield Town.
An unchanged Margate side dominated the early proceedings, having the lion share of the play without really threatening Tony Di Barnardo’s goal.
That was until the 16th minute when Collin grabbed hold of the ball from a free-kick 35 yards out and beautifully bent the ball past the outstretched Burgess Hill keeper to open the scoring in stunning fashion.
Dave Martin and Chiedozie both saw chances come and go soon after as they both cut in from their wings before missing the near post with efforts.
However, Chiedozie was, as he has been all season for the Gate, in the mood for goals, and minutes later he had his name on the scoresheet. Picking the ball up in the left side of the box the striker saw his goalbound shot take a wicked deflection to completely wrong foot Di Barnardo.
Chiedozie then saw a header fly just wide of the target, while Burgess Hill found their feet late in the half but efforts from Jack Brivio and Connor Tighe were tame and easily dealt with by Lenny Pidgeley.
Margate again dictated the tempo in the second half with half chances from Collin and Martin missing the target early on.
Again though, as the half went on Burgess Hill created chances with shots blocked and saved in quick succession in the 83rd minute.
Margate immediately broke and it was a surprise when Chiedozie didn’t find the goal for once as his snapshot didn’t find the back of the net.
It wasn’t to matter though as the Blues easily held off their opponents for another three points towards their play-off push.
Margate: Pidgeley, Bodkin, Simpson (Mills 73), Prescott, Friend, Essuman, May, Blackman, Chiedozie, Collin (Swift 80), Martin (Haysman 60).
Subs not used: Lee, Sollis.
Attendance: 547