Gate Narrowly Lose To Worthing

By Tom Morris

The ‘Gate lost 2-1 away to Worthing as Prestedge sees red and Leighton grabs his 9th goal of the season.

Confidence was high after last weeks 3-0 away win at Horsham and the ‘Gate started strongly with a number of early corners and signature mazy runs from Kadell Daniel in the opening 10 minutes. Then against the run of play a misplaced pass in midfield was picked up by Meekums who slid the ball through to Kealey to score with a well-placed shot. 1-0 to the hosts. 

Worthing started to apply pressure as Aguair and Armstrong had efforts on goal saved by Tupper. At the other end Prestedge hit a dipping drive into the keeper arms and Daniel went close to finding a teammate with a succession of corners. In the 37th minute Leighton had the ball pinched off his toes just as he was about to shoot and Monlouis almost capitalised on a short back pass in the 39th minute. 

The deciding passage of play started in the 43rd minute, Monlouis set Daniel up with a tap in from 12 yards but he opted for power and blasted the ball over the crossbar. From the goal kick a challenge for the ball with Johnson sees the Worthing attacker clearly handle the ball and square for Parsons to shoot on goal and make the score 2-0. Prestedge was booked for remonstrating with the match official who missed the blatant handball. Things went from bad to worse at the restart as Prestedge was shown a second yellow card for further discussions with the match official about the legitimacy of the second Worthing goal, 2-0 down and a man down. The half time whistle blew and the ‘Gate had it all to do in the second 45.

Margate started the second half with determination and gusto to get back into the match; Leighton and Daniel both fashioned chances for Ramadan who narrowly shot wide before Kadell took down a long ball, tricked his way towards goal but fired his shot into the side netting in the 57th minute.

Daniel saw two more half chances come and go as the Worthing defence held firm until the 67th minute when another drive and cross from the right flank found Noel Leighton in the box who coolly guided the ball home. 2-1 with 25 minutes left to play. Ben Swift made a welcome return to first team action replacing Kieran Monlouis and manager Saunders final change saw Oyenuga replace Ramadan with ten minutes to go.

Worthing showed why they are challenging for the title as they remained resolute and looked dangerous on the break. A half chance apiece in the last 5 minutes for Meekums and Swift were the only chances of note as the ‘Gate suffered defeat in our penultimate away league match of 2019.  

Margate: Tupper, Abnett. Sessegnon, Prestedge ©, Johnson, Porter, Richards (Stewart 45’), Monlouis (Swift 63’), Leighton, Daniel, Ramadan (Oyenuga 81’) 

Subs: Holloway, Hatfull 
Margate are next in action on Tuesday 17th December vs Carshalton in the Velocity Cup. 

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