Blues Grind Out Win In Soggy Surrey

Margate came from behind to record a fantastic away win away at Merstham thanks to goals from Jordan Chiedozie and Kane Haysman.

In miserable conditions in Surrey the rain battered down for the whole 90 minutes but the Blues showed resilience to grind out the 2-1 win.

Manager Steve Watt was forced into a change with Chris Sessegnon injured meaning Ben Swift come in at centre half whilst Tom Mills reverted to right back and Tom Wynter reverting to left back.

It was a nightmare opening 10 minutes for the ‘Gate as they fell behind after just eight minutes as the hosts raced down the left before Alex Addai squared the ball across the 18 yard box to Ryan Hall who sweetly struck the ball past the outstretched hand of Lenny Pidgeley.

As well as going behind Margate were dealt a further blow as Tom Wynter fell to the floor clutching his hamstring meaning he was replaced with Lee Prescott who went into the middle while Jack Evans went to right back and Mils moved to left back.

Margate looked for an immediate reply but saw headers from Haysman and Jay May go agonisingly wide before the host almost doubled their lead with Hall flashing a header just inches wide of Pidgeley’s far post.

The ‘Gate had Pidgeley to thank just minutes later as the dangerous Addai raced through one on one but the experienced keeper stood firm and denied the pacey striker. With that Margate raced down the other end and May found Chiedozie who fired a swerving shot past Chris Haigh in the Merstham goal to level the scores.

Margate started the second half strongly with May and Chiedozie linking up well but failing to find that killer instinct to take the lead. The hosts refused to let Margate have it all their own way though as two corners in quick succession were scrambled away by the Gate at the dying moments.

With their backs temporarily against the wall Margate burst into action once more to take the lead as Chiedozie and Dave Martin linked up well down the left before the latter crossed a low ball into the box which the charging Haysman latched onto and slid home to make it 2-1 to the Blues.

Margate almost put the game to bed in the dying minutes as Liam Friend rose highest at the back post from a corner but Haigh saved well to deny the centre back. The last drama of the evening resulted in the hosts being reduced to 10 men as Addai received two yellow cards in the space of thirty seconds for dissent shown towards the referee.

The win leaves Margate 9th in the Bostik Premier League just two points behind the play-offs with a game in hand over most of the teams around them.

MARGATE: Pidgeley, Mills, Winter (Prescott 10’), Rogers, Friend, Swift, Haysman, Evans, Chiedozie (Bodkin 81’), Collin, May (Martin 67’)

Subs not used: Stannard, Lee

Attendance: 145

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