Seven Goal Thriller Kick-Starts 2020

By Tom Morris

The ‘Gate suffer New Year’s Day defeat by the odd goal in 7 as Joe Taylor returns to HDP to score twice against his former club.

In the first action at Hartsdown Park in 2020 it was the visitors Cray Wanderers and former ‘Gate striker Joe Taylor who started the afternoon brightly, narrowly being caught out by the linesman’s flag and creating a few half chances from a succession of corner and a fast attack minded period of build up play. 

It took a strong block from Dan Johnson to prevent a shooting opportunity before the deadlock was broken in the 30th minute. Winger Bradley Pricharad fed Taylor who saw his shot blocked on the line before poking home the rebound when Porter and Friend looked like they would clear it. 1-0 Cray after 30 minutes.

In the 35th and 37th minutes Kieran Monlouis saw a fierce drive palmed away by the keeper and a second narrowly miss the post, but the resultant corner came to nothing. Before the interval there was time for Tupper to deny Rollinson with a smart save and after 1 minute of added time the first half ended with the visitors leading 1-0.

The second half would prove to be one of the best halves of football witnessed at HDP but it started in the worst possible way as Joe Taylor had the freedom of the box to slot home and double Cray’s advantage from 5 yards. It was less than two minutes later that the ‘Gate fans had something to cheer about as Kadell Daniel picked up a lose ball, shimmied into the box and fired an unstoppable effort through Carey to half the deficit and grab his 6th league goal of the campaign, 2-1 and still 40 minutes to play.

Saunders introduced Roman Campbell for his debut replacing Adem Ramadan moments before Noel Leighton was fouled inside the box, but the referee gave an indirect free-kick believing that the challenge had started outside the area. 

Riled by this decision Leighton hit back in the best of ways directing a bullet header into the roof of the net on 63 minutes from a Jack Richards corner, 2-2 and Margate were looking good for another goal!

The problem was so were the visitors and Lee Lewis scored an audacious effort from 35 yards when the ‘Gate midfield failed to close him down to put Cray 3-2 and back on the front foot. 

Indeed, they doubled their advantage in the 80th minute as Ben Mundele started and finished a swift counterattack with a composed finish from inside the box. Margate 2-4 Cray Wanders after 80 minutes. 

As previously there was an instant reply from Daniel and Margate as he coolly dispatched an 82nd minute penalty to reduce the deficit to 1 goal.

Despite the best efforts of the players the fourth goal eluded us and the ‘Gate suffered defeat at home on New Years Day, going down 3 goals to 4.

Margate: Tupper, Sessegnon, Porter ©, Robins (Lamb 63’), Johnson, Friend, Richards, Monlouis, Leighton, Daniel, Ramadan (Campbell 57’)

Subs: Holloway, Abnett, Geddes

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