Blues Seal Opening Day Win

Report by Dylan Smith

Margate opened their season in fine fashion with an impressive 2 – 1 against new boys Whitehawk. A double from Phil Roberts, with a goal in either half, gave the Blues the perfect start to the season.

The game initially started as a cagey affair between the two sides. The ball predominantly found itself around the midfield, as both sides looked to get a grip on the game. However, out of the blue Margate were awarded an early penalty. Steve Cawley was brought down in the box by the opposition keeper Mitchell Walker, which led to him being yellow carded. Sadly, the ‘Gate were denied their first goal of the season, as the spot kick from Ben Greenhalgh was saved.

The Blues wouldn’t drop their heads though, as they would go on to take the game by the scruff of the neck. A shot that went high and wide from Archie Johnson and a near miss from Montel Agyemang were the most notable opportunities from this burst of momentum.

As the first half continued to tick away, Margate would have most of the possession, with corners and chances, but it would be Whitehawk who would go closest to opening the scoring as a ball was whipped in from the left corner was headed just wide of the post.

The deadlock would be broken in the 33rd minute by the Blues. Some excellent build up play in midfield, led to a cross from the right-hand side, which made its way to the back post where Roberts would go on to take it into his path and slot it calmly into the bottom right corner, making it 1-0 to the ‘Gate.

With half-time on the horizon and the Blues looking confident, a shock was sent through the team as Whitehawk levelled the game at the death of the first half. Captain Jack Dixon received the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and smashed it across goal, bringing the newly promoted side level as the half time whistle went.

With the game at 1-1, the second half was very much make or break for both sides. A couple of lucrative efforts from Greenhalgh and forcing corners was how the Blues started the second half in a positive fashion.

Despite the game heading towards a 1-1 draw with the clock counting down, it was the man of the moment Roberts who gave Margate the lead once again in the 80th minute. A fine strike from 25-yards ended up in the bottom corner, sending the Hartsdown Park fans into raptures.

A nail-biting goal mouth scramble from Whitehawk in the remaining minutes wasn’t enough for the Hawks to draw level. This left the ‘Gate as victors on the opening day, giving the home crowd something to cheer about after the full-time whistle.

Margate now turn attention to Tuesday evening, where they face a tough test away at Hornchurch.

The ‘Gate currently sit 6th in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Margate: Hobbs, Hatfull, Johnson, Agyemang, Sterling, Hudson, Blackman, Cawley (Smith 89’), Roberts, Greenhalgh, Rutherford (Cham 74’)

Subs not used: Salmon, Sutcliffe, Mazzone

Goalscorer's

Phil Roberts – ‘33, ‘80

Attendance 

358

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