Blues Beaten At Home By Oaks

By Dylan Smith

Margate suffer only their second loss all season at the hands of Sevenoaks Town. Goals from Warren-Hughes Mfula and Jefferson Aibangbee were enough to see the visitors leave with all three points, despite Jordon Ababio’s late consolation.

The ‘Gate came into this game looking to turn their recent draws at home into a win, this led to a very quick start. 

Ben Greenhalgh whipped a free kick around the near post, a Sevenoaks defender managed to get his head to it but nearly ended up clearing the ball into his own net, Jordan Perrin produced a brilliant save to keep the game goalless.

Unfortunately, from then the Blues lost some momentum leaving the away side to pick up the pace and at points pin the Margate defence deep in their box. 

A couple of brilliant stops from Tom Wray and brilliant blocks from both Harry Hudson and Lewis Knight meant neither side could break the deadlock going into the interval.

Following the break, Margate came out of the dressing room with a point to prove. They looked to use overloads on the wings, which led to Harrison Hatfull being free a numerous amount of times down the right. 

On this occasion he was able to put a venomous cross towards Max Walsh, but Perrin was up for the challenge once again and punched the ball away from the area.

Just after the 60th minute, the visitors found the goal they ultimately deserved in the end. A poor back pass left Aibangbee through one-on-one and he was able to calmly lob Wray who was rushing out at him.

Things went from bad to worse in the 69th minute when Sevenoaks doubled their lead. A nice move down the right led to Mfula being all alone in the box, with his right foot, he smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

The ‘Gate would do all they could to try and get back in the game, but with the late subs and a bombardment of set pieces, they could only find a consolation through substitute Ababio in the last seconds of the game, he was able to tap home a cross for close range.

Just the second defeat of the league season for Margate and now we move on to hosting host second-placed Sittingbourne on Tuesday evening looking to bounce back at Hartsdown Park!

Margate XI: 1. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 4. Max Walsh (7. Jordon Ababio 69’), 6. Harry Hudson ©, 9. Ibrahim Olutade, 10 Ben Allen (18. Louie Atkins 70’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 12. Lewis Knight, 14, Josh Bayliss (19. Enoch Muwonge 60’), & 17. Kai Garande.

Unused subs: Gabriel Duo & Tyrone Sterling

MFC Goalscorer: Jordon Ababio 90+6'

Margate Media Man of the Match: Lewis Knight 

Attendance: 418

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