Blues Suffer Invicta Defeat

Margate slipped to a second Bank Holiday defeat on Monday afternoon as they were beaten 1-0 by Kent rivals Folkestone Invicta at Hartsdown Park.

Manager Reece Prestedge recalled Ade Cole to the bench after his back injury, whilst defender Harry Hudson returned to the side after recovering from an ankle injury.

It was the visitors who started stronger with former ‘Gate striker Louis Collins wasting a good opportunity after just three minutes. Folkestone looked intent on scoring early, and they got the breakthrough on 12 minutes as a corner eventually fell to the feet of Ibrahim Olutade who impressively bicycle-kicked the visitors into the lead.

Folkestone continued to pepper the Blues goal with half chances as Collins and Ira Jackson were denied by Daniel Jinadu. Folkestone continued to impress as Olutade almost sensationally smashed home a second which went inches wide as Margate struggled to deal with the attacking threat of the visitors.

It was all Folkestone and they should have been two ahead in the dying minutes of the first half as Collins again was denied spectacularly by Jinadu as the visitors somehow only took a one goal lead in at half-time.

Thankfully, Margate started the second 45 in much better form, and they should have been level in the 59th minute as Joe Coleman made a huge save against Ruben Soares-Junior from six yards out. Soares-Junior looked most likely to make something happen as he again saw a fierce effort go inches wide.

Margate were inches from levelling in the 72nd minute as a cross from Soares-Junior was headed onto the bar by Folkestone defender Nathan Green before the visitors scrambled the ball away to safety.

Despite continuing to push forward, Margate couldn’t find a leveller, however in the 94th minute a goal line scramble looked destined to bring the sides level, however it appeared a hand was used on the line to deny the ball going into the net, however the referee blew for full time instead of awarding the ‘Gate a penalty.

Margate return to action this Saturday as they face their final away league game at Billericay Town, with kick-off at 3pm.

MARGATE: Jinadu, Hatfull, Kasim, Christie, Hudson, Wood, Greenhalgh, Barton, Oke (Cole 65’), Smith (Parkinson 85’)

Subs not used: McCarthy, Marsh, Young

Margate Man of the Match

Ruben Soares-Junior

Attendance

464

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