Gate Comeback Seals Three Points

Margate produced an outstanding second half performance to come back from two goals down at half time to beat Harlow Town 4-2 at Hartsdown Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Gate fell behind early on when Matt Foy capitalised on a hashed clearance to march towards Lenny Pidgeley's goal. The Harlow striker doing well to cooly side foot the ball into the back on the net. 

It took Margate a while longer to find any rhythm to create opportunities for an equaliser. The visitor's keeper called upon when a Frannie Collin set-piece delivery found the path of Jay May, whose header was tipped over the cross bar. 

After The Gate's most positive moment of the opening 45 minutes, Harlow ruthlessly hit on the counter to double their lead.

Alex Read broke through on the left wing picking out Foy who tapped home to double both his and Harlow's tally for the afternoon.

Harlow had the crossbar to thank just before the break when Jordan Chiedozie rattled the woodwork with a fine strike from distance but Margate went into the break with a seemingly huge task to pull off.

Just six minutes into the second period, The Gate halved the deficit as May rose highest to nod the ball home in a packed penalty area.

Margate drew level soon after, courtesy of in-form striker Collin, who picked up his second goal of the week with a smart finish from a Pidgeley ball forward.

May scored his second header of the afternoon and put Margate ahead after positioning himself perfectly to get on the end of a pinpoint cross from Dave Martin.

With the momentum of the game fully swung in the hosts favour, May almost took home the match ball after he forced a fine save from Hughes.

Margate extended their lead further as goalkeeper Pidgeley turned provider once again, finding the feet of Chiedozie who navigated the penalty area to craft space and strike the ball into the bottom corner.

For the third game in a row, Margate were reduced to ten men. After an impressive display from the young centre back, George Essuman was given a second yellow card and his marching orders for a challenge on Hawks midfielder Charlie Edwards.

Harlow pressed forward whilst The Gate adapted to the dismissal, with May and Collin playing deeper to help the hosts sustain their lead, an organised and determined Margate team hung on for a deserved victory.

Steve Watt and his team now turn their attentions to Tuesday evening, when we welcome Kingstonian to Hartsdown Park in the Bostik League.

Margate: Pidgeley, Evans, Wynter, Essuman, Simpson, Rogers (c), Blackman (Prescott), Martin (Bodkin), Collin (Astride), Chiedozie, May

Unused subs: Lee, Smith

ATTENDANCE: 451

More news