'Gate Go Third With Impressive Win

Margate continued their unbeaten start to the 2021/22 season on Saturday as they overcome a determined Leatherhead side at Hartsdown Park, eventually winning 4-2.

Blues Manager Jay Saunders was forced into a change at the back with Joe Anderson missing, meaning Jack Richards started at left back, whilst Jake Embery kept his place after his hat-trick heroics on Tuesday.

It was the visitors who started the stronger under the September sunshine as they forced three early corners in a row with the latter being headed goal wards, only for Richards to hack the ball off the line.

The hosts took time to get in their stride but when they did it was all coming from the left hand side as Richards and Ben Greenhalgh linked up well before the latter struck a fierce shot goal wards which swerved just inches wide. Margate continued to show more attacking threat as Embery fought for the ball before seeing his effort turned wide for a corner.

Leatherhead’s resilience was worn down in the 34th minute as again Margate created down the left hand side with Greenhalgh who delivered an inviting ball into the box which was prodded home by Thompson to give Margate the lead.

1-0 soon become 2-0 as from kick off James Bessey-Saldanha pounced on a loose back pass and rounded the Leatherhead keeper to make it 2-0 in the 35th minute.

Leatherhead started the second half with much more attacking prowess with Alexander Sami looking threatening as he almost nipped in between Pat Ohman and Lewis Knight, however the pair dealt with the early second half threat. The Blues couldn’t resist Sami for much longer though as Leatherhead reduced the arrears as a low free-kick was tapped home by Sami.

If Margate fans had some nerves after the Leatherhead goal they were soon relieved as Greenhalgh saw a free kick from the right evade everyone and float into the goal to extend their lead once again.

The goal cushion only lasted six minutes though as Leatherhead once again got right back in the game as Matthew Briggs threaded a superb ball through to Sami who netted his second of the afternoon.

Embery came close to extending Margate’s lead once again as he saw a low shot superbly saved, however the ‘Gate did wrap up the three points in the final minute as substitute Vance Bola shifted the ball before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner to move Margate up to 3rd in the Isthmian Premier Division table.

MARGATE Xl: Ohman, Kamara, Richards (Palmer 54’) Agyemang, Knight, Swift, Bessey-Saldanha, Blackman, Thompson (Bola 67’), Embery (Gurung 90’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Lamb, Godo

Goal Scorers

Thompson 34’

Bessy-Saldanha 35’

Greenhalgh 66’

Bola 90’

Attendance

455

Man of the Match

James Bessey-Saldanha

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