Blues Exit Velocity Trophy

Report by Riley Finch 

Vinnie Bowman netted his first senior goal as Margate’s youth shone despite a 3-1 defeat to Whitehawk to end our Velocity Cup campaign on Tuesday evening.

In his first start for the senior-team, Bowman’s poachers finish gave us the lead in the 26th minute after the Hawk’s goalkeeper Mitch Walker spilled the ball in the penalty area.

Bowman was one of many young players to be given the nod by interim manager Ben Greenhalgh after Reece Prestedge departed the club on Sunday.

Bowman, Gabriel Duo, Rory Sutcliffe and Alfie Hill all got some well-deserved minutes on the pitch having performed well in the youth set up, including Academy, U18’s and U23’s. .

Despite a vibrant youth selection however, Greenhalgh’s side fell victim to an early goal in the second-half to draw the home side level.

Lloyd Dawes thumping header just one-minute into the second-half was sadly a sign of things to come in the second half.

Charlie Harris rose highest to nod the ball past Seaden to get the hosts in front with just over ten to go and seconds from the 90-minute mark, Josh Nandhra’s sweeping finish cemented the Hawk’s place in the net round.

Despite the defeat, Margate had a handful of chances to seal the game, before the hots took charge.

Steve Cawley’s sublime first touch set him up just on the edge of the box to curl past the Whitehawk keeper but his shot flew just over the bar.

Harrison Hatfull’s incisive cutback also fell to Cawley unmarked in the box but his sweeping finish was saved smartly in what was a key moment to double our advantage.

After a tough week for the club, heightened by the difficult playing surfaces and long journey, Greenhalgh was full of praise for his side come the final whistle.

“We are all really positive in that changing room.

“We wanted to give young lads a chance… for Vinnie to give us that first goal it a brilliant achievement for him and gives him the chance for a lot of progression with us.

“People don’t realise how tough a ground this is to come to, they played a strong team, they’re doing well in the league and we gave them a go.”

Bowman will get the headlines and rightfully so, he said: “feeling really happy to score on my first start, right place right time for a striker’s finish.

“I’m very grateful for the opportunity and I hope to push on now and get more involved in the first-team.”

We return to the league this Saturday against 13th place Carshalton as we look to build on a bitter sweet night in Sussex and get back to winning ways.

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Poku (Hill 61’), Sterling, Hudson, Bowman (Sutcliffe 68;), Mazzone (Duo 77’), Cawley, Rutherford, Salmon (Greenhalgh 63’)

Subs not used: Hobbs

Margate Goalscorer

Vinnie Bowman 26;

Attendance

118

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