'Gate See Off Faversham at HDP

Margate maintained their strong start to pre-season on Tuesday evening as they overcome Faversham Town 3-1 at Hartsdown Park.

Manager Andy Drury once again chose to name two different teams in each half, and it was the second half team that eventually helped the Blues to their second straight win of the pre-season schedule.

The first half eleven saw Drury name four trialists, alongside the likes of Lewis Knight, Harry Hudson, Troy Howard and U23’s striker Shaun Nketiah.

The ‘Gate started sluggishly with Faversham looking the stronger of the two sides, with the Lilywhites creating two good chances in the opening ten minutes. It took Margate almost 20 minutes to find their feet, but Taylor Fisher was the key to that as he raced down the left, before playing in James Bessey-Saldanha, who rolled the ball square to Nketiah who saw his effort saved by the Faversham keeper.

The hosts fell behind in the 21st minute as Faversham worked the ball well down the left before an effort beat the ‘Gate trialist goalkeeper at his near post.

Drury’s side looked to strike back immediately as Troy Howard forced a save, moments for Bessey-Saldahna weaved in and out of the Faversham defence, before seeing his effort strike the post.

The Blues were level just three minutes before the break as Howard fed the ball down the left hand side to a trialist who showed some neat skill before picking out another trialist who slotted home to level the scores.

Margate introduced Ben Greenhalgh, Sam Blackman and Emmanuel Oluwesemo in the second half as the ‘Gate looked to build on their positive end to the first half.

Lewis Knight rose highest from a corner as the Blues looked for an early second half goal. Oluwesemo, who netted twice on Saturday was looking to extend his lively start in a Margate shirt as he raced into the Faversham box, only for his effort to be well saved by the visiting keeper.

Adeyinka Cole played a huge role in giving Margate the lead as he pressed well in Midfield, eventually poaching the ball and feeding it to another Blues trialist who pulled the trigger and saw his fierce shot nestle in the bottom corner, to give Margate a 2-1 lead.

2-1 soon become 3-1 moments later as a trialists and Oluwesemo superbly linked down the left hand side, allowing the former Faversham striker to score against his former side with a cool finish to extend the hosts lead.

Oluwesemo also had an opportunity to make it four minutes later, however managed to drag his shoit wide from a close angle. The Blues finished the game with just ten men on the pitch as Harrison Hatfull left the field with an ankle injury.

Margate Xl first half: Trialist, Fisher, Knight, Hudson, Trialist, Topley, Trialist, Trialist, Bessey Saldhana, Howard, Nketiah

Margate Xl second half: Bridle-Card, Fisher, Knight, Hudson, Hatfull, Blackman, Cole, Oluwesemo, Oliver, Greenhalgh, Trialist

Margate Goalscorer’s

Trialist 42’

Trialist 73’

Oluwesemo 74’

Margate Man of the Match

Harrison Hatfull

Attendance

166

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