Blues Earn Point In Four Goal Thriller

Margate took a giant step towards Isthmian Premier League safety on Saturday afternoon with a spirited 2-2 draw against play-off chasing Lewes at Hartsdown Park.

Manager Reece Prestedge named the same starting eleven that incredibly fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 away at then league leaders Hornchurch, which meant a 100th appearance in blue for both Ben Greenhalgh and Sam Blackman.

Margate got off to a flyer as the two centurions linked up to give the ‘Gate a 1-0 lead within three minutes. A beautiful free-kick from Greenhalgh found Blackman who headed the Blues into an early lead within the opening three minutes.

Margate’s lead was only to last 13 minutes though as a through ball to Tyrique Hyde was collected before smashing the ball low past Daniel Jinadu as the game started with a high tempo.

Within five minutes, Margate were back in front as a goal mouth scramble ensued which saw Ruben Soares-Junior slam the ball home to restore the Blues lead in a frantic start to the afternoon at Hartsdown Park.

A fourth goal of the game was to be scored in the 36th minute as former Margate striker Joe Taylor superbly flicked the visitors level at 2-2.

Margate lost striker Phil Roberts to injury early in the second half, meaning the introduction of Harvey Smith, however it was Margate’s former striker Taylor who looked likely to score next as he saw a low shot go narrowly wide as Lewes looked to take the lead.

With 20 minutes remaining Margate almost re-took the lead as Greenhalgh superbly slipped the ball through to Smith whose delicate chip was saved tremendously by Lewis Carey to keep the scores level. It looked like the Blues were most likely to score next as Soares-Junior and Nathan Wood saw efforts go narrowly over as Margate looked to mathematically make themselves safe from the drop by winning.

Neither side was able to grab the fifth and final goal that would have secured the three points as each side took a point each, which leaves the Blues eleven points clear from the bottom four with just four games remaining in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Margate return to action on Good Friday as they make the trip to North London to face Haringey Borough, kick-off is 3pm.

MARGATE Xl: Jinadu, Kasim, Christie, Blackman, Roberts (Smith 50’), Wood, Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen, Oke, Soares-Junior (Rutherford 82’).

Subs not used: McCarthy, Sutcliffe, Young

Margate Goalscorer’s

Sam Blackman 3’

Ruben Soares-Junior 26’

Margate Man of the Match

Nathan Wood

Attendance

559

More news