Greenhalgh The Hat-Trick Hero

By Riley Finch

Ben Greenhalgh’s first half hat-trick capped off a brilliant performance which lifted Margate out of the relegation zone with a 3-2 victory over Canvey Island at Hartsdown Park.

It took Greenhalgh less than one minute to get Margate back on level terms after conceding to Lance Akins towering header just five minutes in.

Greenhalgh took advantage of a dangerous ball in behind enemy lines and caressed the ball into the bottom corner on the half-volley to deliver an instant response. Less than twenty minutes later, did he go for goal? Who cares.

Greenhalgh’s looping, curled free-kick from the edge of the area found itself in the back of the net after evading everyone including the Canvey goalkeeper to give the Gate the lead.

Margate’s main man would then slide his rebounded shot under an onrushing Jackson to earn himself a hat-trick, the match-ball and a precious three-points for Margate.

Manager Mark Stimson brought in Centre-back Teddy Perkins and Right-back Rio Davison-Phipps to the lineup alongside a change of shape which saw Ben more central and a back five implemented. With Greenhalgh scoring all three, the change clearly paid off.

Greenhalgh was presented the chance for a historic fourth after latching onto a ball in behind but he was unable to sort his feet out and the chance sadly got away from him.

A devastating Canvey Island counter attack just minutes later led to a tense last forty-minutes after Bradley Sach fired across goal to sneak the ball past Harry Seaden from the edge of the box. Tense or not, the Gate stood firm to earn themselves a much needed win.

Stimson, who claimed his first victory today as our manager, dedicated the performance to the board and the fans for their unwavering support.

We face Haringey Borough next Saturday as we look to keep momentum after today’s brilliant performance.

Margate: 1 Harry Seaden, 2 Rio Davidson-Phipps, 3 Toby Stevenson (Lewis Knight 90'), 4 Yaser Kasim, 5 Tyrone Sterling, 6 Harry Hudson , 9 Steve Cawley, 10 Kadell Daniel, 11 Ben Greenhalgh, 15 Mohamed Kamara, 20 Teddy Perkins

Unused Subs: 12 Fyn Rutherford, 13 Reece Hobbs, 14 Vinnie Bowman, 7 Dominic Vose

Attendance: 420

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