Blues Beat Brightlingsea To Go 10 Unbeaten

Margate made it six wins in a row and unbeaten in ten games in the Bostik Premier League as they overcome Brightlingsea Regent 1-0 thanks to Kane Hayman’s header eleven minutes from time.  

The Blues were missing Tom Wynter, James Rogers and Jack Evans all to suspension, whilst Chris Sessegnon and Ben Swift remained side-lined with injury, however there was some positive news as Defender Tom Mills returned to the bench after a long injury lay-off.  

Margate started strongest in difficult conditions as Sam Blackman and Dave Martin both saw early opportunities fly wide of the home sides goal in the early exchanges. Frannie Collin should have nodded the visitors in front moments later although his header went inches wide with Margate protesting they should have been awarded another corner.  

Brightlingsea were beginning to grow into the game and saw a superb low free kick parried away by the excellent Lenny Pidgeley as the scores remained level with half time fast approaching. 30 goal striker Jordan Chiedozie created two half chances for himself but the hosts keeper was equal to them to deny the visitors a lead.  

The second half started with the hosts in the ascendency as they began to pepper Pidgeley’s goal with long range efforts which the experienced keeper dealt with comfortably as both sides continued to jostle for a goal that would be so crucial in such a tight fixture.  

Margate did have the ball in the net in the 64th minute but it was ruled out for offside as Jay May just strayed ahead of the home sides defence bore calmly poking home. Margate Keeper Pidgeley would have to make another superb low dive as the hosts remained a threat in worsening conditions on the Essex coast.  

Margate got their reward in the 79th minute as substitute Kane Haysman beat the off side trap to head home from eight yards from a delightful in-swinging cross from Jordan Chiedozie. Brightlingsea threw everything at Margate in the final moments as Pidgeley again denied the hosts with several saves to give Margate the three points that leaves them 3rd in the Bostik Premier League.  

MARGATE: Pidgeley, Bodkin, Simpson, Prescott, Friend, Essuman, May, Blackman, Chiedozie (Sollis 87’), Collin, Martin (Haysman 70’)  

Subs Not Used: Lee, Mills, Rudd 

Attendance: 184   

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