Third consecutive draw

The Gate remain unbeaten in first 4 league games as a goalless draw in Surrey secures our 6th point of the season.

After a spell of miserable autumn weather, the pitch at Fetcham Grove looked in great nick as the players completed their pre-match warmups and got ready to fight for the points in the Pitching-In Isthmian Premier League.

The opening exchanges were scrappy with little chances of note for either side until in the 17th minute John Ufuah was put through on goal by Conor Evans and upended in the box but the referee waved way the penalty appeal from a number of Gate players!

Richards (23’) and Leslie (30’) exchanged shots that were both comfortably saved by the keepers before Bancroft troubled Oualah with a rasping shot in the 35th minute but the tanners goalie kept the ball out with another smart save. There was little else to report on in the next 15 minutes and the half ended with the sides all square at 0-0.

Leatherhead started the second half the brighter and on the front foot they created several half chances; Hester Cook came the closest dragging his effort wide in the 57th minute. The Gate’s best chance of the half fell to Conor Evans (66’) who found himself though on goal but with only the keeper to beat he pushed his shot wide of the goal.

There was an injury to Chris Sessegnon in the 74th minute and he was replaced by Luke Carey. Noel Leighton (81’) also came on, replacing Toby Bancroft, for his first competitive minutes after returning from injury but he was unable to force a breakthrough in the closing ten minutes.

In a frantic last 3 minutes Carey and Evans had fierce shots cleared and blocked away from goal and Ben Swift went close with a header but all were thwarted and the points were shared as the referee blew his whistle with the final score 0-0.

Margate: Vose, Sessegnon, Porter, Prestedge, Friend, Swift ©, Bancroft, Moncur, Ufuah, Richards, Evans

Subs: Kallmeier, Carey (Sessegnon 74’), Burnett, Leighton (Bancroft 81’), Hatton

Margate are next in action on Tuesday night as we welcome Cheshunt to Hartsdown Park, kick off 19:45. Tickets are available through our online shop until 18:30

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