Gate Slip To Dorking Defeat

Goals in both halves saw Margate slip to a 2-0 defeat away at Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday evening.

Following an outstanding opening game of the season, The Gate’s management duo stuck with their starting eleven for the trip to Surrey.

Unfortunately for the visitors, it was Dorking who got off to a flyer this time around, nudging one ahead in the opening minutes of the match.

Tom Richards producing a set piece beating Henry Newcombe and flying into the top-left hand corner with little over five minutes on the clock.

The Gate looked for an immediate response to going a goal behind and showed encouraging signs enjoying a bright spell of possession.

The Blues had strong appeals for a handball in the box waved away by the referee, whilst down the other end Tom Wynter was adjudged to have pulled a shirt in a one on one tussle on the edge of the box.

The hosts granted a golden opportunity to try out another set piece but the Margate wall did its job effectively, Chris Barnard bravely blocking a powerful effort towards goal.

Barnard was in the mix minutes later, getting on the end of a chested lay off from Baselle Astride to launch a scorching effort on the volley which went just wide.

The game could have taken a considerable turn 40 minutes in when Joe Taylor was on the receiving end of a rather cynical piece of contact off the ball.

Whilst this went unnoticed by the officials, a physical contest ensued between two teams who will be hoping to compete at the right end of the Bostik League table this season.

As the game wore on, Taylor proved an increasingly productive attacking outlet but the final clinical touch to seemed evasive to The Gate.

Whilst Margate enjoyed for sustained periods of attacking pressure, Dorking showed their clear threat and came close to doubling their lead before the break.

After the interval, The Gate were dealt a hammer blow as the referee awarded the hosts a penalty. A clumsy one for Margate to concede, the spot quick was dispatched putting Dorking 2-0 up.

It could have been three just minutes later, an uncharacteristic lapse in concentration from the back line saw Margate lose their shape, and a ruthless Dorking side were only too happy to try and make it count. The visitors had Wynter to thank for a fantastic goal line clearance which denied the Wanderers.

The subsequent counter-attack produced Margate’s best opportunity of the game. A lovely attacking move just inches away from being converted by Taylor who was later denied by a great save. 

Frannie Collin was the next to go close for Margate, rattling the bar from a great free kick strike.

The full-time whistle blew on a frustrating evening for Margate who deserved at least a goal to merit a hard-working display with pockets of great attacking display.

The Gate hit the road again this Saturday with another tough trip on the cards, this time to Brightlingsea Regent. This will be followed by a third away journey in a week to Hythe Town in the Kent Senior Cup.

Margate: Newcombe, Paxman, Wynter, Friend ©, Mills, Rogers, Barnard (Prescott), Brown, Astride, Collin, Taylor

Subs: Swift, Boulding, Wratten, Fitchett

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