Gate Beat Bognor At HDP

Margate earned an impressive win at Hartsdown Park beating play-off contenders Bognor Regis Town, a late Kadell Daniel strike the difference between the two teams.

The hosts had an early penalty shout for handball but the appeals were waved away. The momentum stayed with Margate who crafted a number of opportunities, often via or courtesy of Daniel.

The loanee came close with a shot on the outside of the box and was inches away from nudging Margate ahead when he got on the end of a Jack Paxman cross.

Tobi Sho Silva enforced a fine save from the visitor’s goalkeeper, skilfully turning his marker from six yards out but the deadlock remained firmly shut.

Bognor came out for the second half with real intent and this time it was the Margate keeper Louis Wells who pulled off a fine save, his outstretched leg diverting the danger away.

Margate continued to manufacture the game’s greater attacking opportunities but were lacking a final, clinical touch.

Substitute Jospeh Hungbo added extra impetus to Margate’s threatening attacking presence and enforced another spectacular save when he cut into the area and unleashed a goal bound effort towards the top right corner.

Whilst enjoying the chunk of attacking play, Margate could not afford to switch off defensively as Bognor showed threatening glimpses on the counter attack including curling delivery which found the head of Lethbridge whose effort went well wide.

Bognor’s defensive barriers were proving a stubborn obstacle as Margate were afforded another free kick but failed to break down the visitors.

Another opportunity arose for Margate when Wells unleashed Silva with a dangerous goal kick. Silva skilfully brought the ball down linking with strike partner Leighton whose attempt lofted over.

Bognor managed to slice the Margate defence open and were rewarded with a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area. Wells organised his wall effectively as they blocked the initial strike and follow up, before averting the danger entirely.

Margate turned up the tempo as the match entered its final phase, Captain Liam Friend coming close with a header from a Hungbo cross whilst minutes later the latter enforced a good save before a Bognor goal line clearance kept the game goalless, albeit temporarily.

As with minutes left to play, the winner came when Daniel summoned the magic required. A beautiful strike, a beautiful goal and probably what was needed to beat a stubborn Bognor side.

Margate managed the game out and sealed three important Bostik League points sustaining The Blues unbeaten run.

Margate: Wells, Mills, Friend ©, Swift, Paxman, Rogers, Robins, Brown (Hungbo), Daniel, Sho-Silva, Leighton

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