Blues Suffer Second Defeat of The Season

Margate suffered just their second league defeat of the season at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium on Saturday as they were defeated 2-1 by Enfield Town.

?The Blues were forced into several changes due to injury and were dealt a further blow on the day as Lenny Pidgeley was ruled out with a sickness bug meaning goal keeper Patrick Lee was to make his Margate debut.

Manager Watt was also without Chris Sessegnon and Jordan Chiedozie meaning he had to reshuffle his back line and start Ben Swift at centre half as well as give another start to 17 year old striker Henry Ikeije.

The Blues had a nightmare start to the game and were behind after just 50 seconds as Enfield looked to inflict early pressure on 19 year old Lee in the Blues goal. It was a well worked goal from te hosts who played the ball out wide to the left before rolling the ball across the six yard box for an easy tap in at the back post for Mickey Parcell.

The Blues could have easily fallen further behind in the 6th minute as Simon Thomas sent a fierce header goalwards which Tom Wynter done exceptionally well to clear off the line as Margate faced early pressure from a very attacking Enfield side.

Despite beginning to control the midfield Margate were struggling to break down the huge back four of Enfield and had to wait 32 minutes for their first meaningful opportunity of the game as Dave Martin crossed a delightful ball into the box which was deflected just inches wide of the far post.

Margate had three more let offs before the break as firstly an Enfield effort was correctly ruled out for offside before the hosts blew two glorious chances to extend their lead both from six yards. The first chance was the more glorious opportunity as the ball was rolled across the box only for Thomas to blaze open from six yards with only the empty net in front of him.

Watt made a change a half time as he introduced the returning Jack Evans for Henry Ikeije as he looked to get back into the game and the changes worked almost immediately as Matt Bodkin got into a fine position before seeing his effort well saved from 20 yards.

The Blues were level in the 53rd minute as Dave Martin went on a mazy run down the left before crossing the ball into Frannie Collin who just beat the defender to the ball to turn goal wards and level the score line.

Margate seemed to have the initiative now and could have gone in front moments later after some more fine work down the left by Martin who again saw his low cross turned away last second by the hosts defence.

The visitors found themselves behind again in the 64th minute as the hosts chipped in a delightful cross which was headed home by Tayler McKenzie completely unmarked from six yards out.

Enfield had two further chances to extend their lead which were both superbly saved by Lee on one on one situations.

The final chance of the game was to fall to the visitors as Martin again got down the wing only for his cross to find Harry Stannard at the back post who glanced his header just wide of the far post as Margate suffered their second defeat of the season.

MARGATE: Lee, Mills, Wynter, Rogers, Friend, Swift, Bodkin (Smith 72’), Prescott (Stannard 83’), Ikeije (45’), Collin, Martin

Subs Not Used: Brown, Jones 

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