Gate's Unbeaten Home Record Comes To An End

By Tommy Park

Margate lost for the first time at home this Saturday in a frustrating 6-2 defeat to Lewes.

The game started off with pace from both sides with some back and forth play right from the off. Just 4 minutes in we would see the first goal with some great team play from Margate, Greenhalgh played a great through ball down the left side into Bessey-Saldanhas stride. Saldanha would surge forwards into the box and slides the ball into Thompson who nets.

The game continued at pace just 4 minutes later Lewes would score. A clash of two players in the box led to Maloney going down and a penalty was awarded. Joe taylor would step up for Lewes and equalise. Just 8 minutes in and the teams are tied at 1-1.

Some back and forth play but Margate certainly on the front foot at this stage keeping the ball well and fending off Lewes attempts to take the lead.

Margate go 2-1 up in the 16th minute, Greenhalghs free kick is curled into the box and headed against the post by Thompson, the ball coming back across goal and Blackman seizes the opportunity and pokes it home.

Margate, not satisfied, continued to push and would strike a couple just wide in the next 20 minutes. Towards the end of the half it's end to end with Margate defending valiantly against multiple close calls. In the 40th minute Margate came inches away from consolidating the lead when the ball was bundled into the Lewes net from a corner but was disallowed for offside.

The game heats up towards the end of the half, Margate defender George lamb receives a yellow. Finally just before the half time whistle Margate defended a corner and a header from Maloney looks to be an equaliser before being cleared off the line by Anderson.

2-1 going into half time.

The second half starts and both teams are out fast and ready for the fight ahead. 52 second minute' A short corner goes to Greenhalgh who would cross the ball to Knight on the edge of the box, Knight hammers it against the hand of a defender but nothing is

given. Lewes then counters with Tanner who plays the ball to Maloney for the equaliser. 2-2

The game starts to turn and Margate are on the back foot, Maloney surging into the box from the left fires it in to make it 3-2 Lewes in the 58th minute.

Lewes continue to pile on the pressure as the cut through Margate defence and Tanner fires into the roof of the net to make it 4-2 Lewes.

A moment of hope for Margate in the 61st minute, Greenhalgh takes the ball and slots it into Bessey-Saldanha who curls it past the goalie, however celebrations were dampened by the offside flag.

72 minutes in and Margate and playing heads held high trying to turn the tide of this game.

Jake Embery comes on for Daniel Thompson, Vance Bola replaces Ben Greenhalgh and Jack Richards replaces George Lamb.

Before the blues subs can establish themselves Lewes make it 5-2 when Ollie Tanner receives the ball and turns his defender into the area placing it past Ohman.

Lewes would make it 6-2 in the 83rd minute with Maloney scoring his third of the game.

Full time at hartsdown park the game ends 6-2 Lewes.

Both teams arrived today expecting a fight for the 3 points and both fought hard for it. A few disallowed goals and loss of momentum changed the game for Margate as the unbeaten home run was ended by Lewes.

Margate now look to their next match and focus all their energy on bouncing back.

Margate XI: Pat Ohman, George Lamb, Joe Anderson, Montel Agyemang, Lewis Knight, Ben Swift(c), Ryan Palmer, Sam Blackman, Dan Thompson, Ben Greenhalgh, James Bessey-saldanha.

Subs: Jake Embery(68’), Bivesh Gurung, Jack Richards(65’), Vance Bola(68’), Martial Godo.

Goal Scorers: Daniel Thompson 4’, Sam blackman 16’. Attendance: 611

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