Gate Beat Casuals In League

By Tom Morris

252 spectators witnessed possible the fastest goal of the season as Elliott Reeves scored after 46 seconds as the ‘Gate recorded a 2-1 win at King Georges Field.

What makes Reeves’ early goal all the more spectacular is that our hosts kicked off but quickly gave the ball away and Chris Sessegnon was able to break free down the right hand flank, his cross was inch perfect and Elliott Reeves guided the ball past the keeper, 1-0 Margate. 

The rain started to lash down and the next 20 minutes failed to deliver any notable chances as both teams struggled with the conditions. Kadell Daniel put a free kick wide from 22 yards in the 25th minutes and Shaun Okojie got his head to a corner, but Tupper made a comfortable save in the 31st minute. The half ended and the’ Gate went in 1-0 up thanks for Reeves’ early strike.

The second half started and almost produced another goal inside 2 minutes as Adem Ramadan took aim form inside the box but watched as his effort flew just past the post. This was to be his last major involvement in the match as after taking a knock he was replaced by Hafeez Sanusi.

Not to be outdone by Elliott Reeves Sanusi latched onto a chipped cross from Kadell Daniel and scored Margate’s second goal with his first touch 2 minutes after coming on. It was also his first goal since signing for the ‘Gate two weeks ago.

Manager Jay Saunders then made a couple of changes as Leighton and Abnett replaced Richards and Reeves in an attempt to see out the game but it was the hosts who grabbed a goal in the 80th minute as Wilson latched onto the ball in the Margate penalty area and fired home from close range. The final few minutes were a nervy affair as Corinthian Casuals pushed forward for an equaliser, Ben Swift got booked for breaking up one such attack and Noel Leighton had a chance to put the game beyond doubt in the 88th minute but shot straight at the keeper before the final whistle blew and Margate took all 3 points wining the game by 2 goals to 1.

Margate: Tupper, Sessegnon, Porter, Prestedge, Johnson, Swift ©, Richards (Abnett 79), Stewart, Reeves (Leighton 71), Daniel, Ramadan (Sanusi 57)

Subs: Holloway, Essuman

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