Blues Fight Back To Beat Potters Bar

By Dylan Smith

Margate returned home after their recent FA cup triumph away at Hendon. Despite going a goal down in the first half, a double from Steve Cawley gave the Blues the three points and keeping their momentum.

The game started with both sides struggling to adapt to the heat. The ball would mainly stay in the midfield, with both teams struggling to control possession. The first chance would fall to the ‘Gate as the ball was played out wide to Phil Roberts who would drive down the sideline. He then cut inside and shot from 20 yards; but he was only able to hit the side netting.

With the half running out of time and both sides seemingly content to be going in level at the break, Potters Bar would open the scoring. Rohdell Gordon picked the ball up on the left wing, shifted it onto his right and found a perfect cross to striker Brandon Adams, who would head home.

The ’Gate players had composed themselves at the start of the second half. Margate were now on the front foot, pinning the visitors deep in their half. Roberts hit a hopeful long-range effort that would roll into the keeper’s arms.

Within just five minutes of the restart the Blues would find themselves level through an excellent Steve Cawley goal. Ben Greenhalgh played Harrison Hatfull down the right-hand side, he beat his opposing full back and found Cawley in the box, who neatly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

In a matter of minutes, the ‘Gate had turned the game on its head. Roberts floated out to the left-hand side, whipped a ball into the area and the star man on the day Cawley, would head home for his second of the game, giving Margate a 2-1 lead early in the second half.

The ‘Gate nearly extended their lead a couple of times in the second period. Antonis Vasiliou would only be able to hit the side of the post after bringing the ball down brilliantly to create himself a one on one. Cawley also missed the chance for his hat trick, shooting just wide.

In the dying moments of the game, Potters Bar nearly equalised after having a goal ruled out earlier in the half, due to a player being offside. A last-ditch corner in added time would find a Town player in the six-yard box. He directed the ball goalwards, fortunately, Harry Seaden was up to the task, tipping the ball onto the crossbar and securing Margate a much welcome three points!

The ’Gate now have a derby to look forward to next weekend, as they face Folkestone in the FA cup at Hartdown Park.

Line-up

Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Sterling, Hudson, Blackman, Cawley (Cham 86’), Roberts, Greenhalgh, Rutherford, Duncanson (Vasiliou 70’).

Subs not used

Hobbs, Salmon, Sutcliffe

Goalscorer(s)

Cawley 50’, 55’

Attendance

921 

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