Blues Suffer Defeat In North London

By Riley Finch

Billy Cracknell’s first-half goal was enough to hand us another defeat on the road in a 1-0 loss to Wingate and Finchley.

Margate came into the match with just four points in five matches away from home and against the league’s then side with the third most goals scored in the league it was going to be a tough task.

Having had so much success with a wing-back formation in the past few games, the loss of left-back Archie Johnson through suspension called for a change of formation.

This meant a return of a back four featuring Harry Hudson out of position at full-back.

The change seemed to have a big impact on the Gate as we struggled to find a foothold in a scrappy first-half.

Despite The Blue Boys having the better of the chances, it looked as though we would go into the second-half level.

One minute into added time however, Cracknell was found in a sea of bodies at the back post to head the home side into the lead.

Margate came out much brighter and much improved in the second-half finally managing to fashion some chances.

We hit the bar twice through Steve Cawley’s volleyed effort and a thunderous strike from substitute Phil Roberts after a darting run from the forward.

Fyn Rutherford also came close as his long range effort on the break almost caught the keeper out, just glancing past the outside of the post.

The home side also had their moments, hitting the post late on through a curled effort and calling Harry Seaden into action to pull off a fantastic save from a header destined for the top corner.

In the end however we just couldn’t find that all important equaliser and the points remained at The Maurice Reback stadium.

“We are disappointed, very poor first-half but came out better in the second-half but nothing came of it”, Rutherford said following the loss.

“We need to start building momentum from results.

“We hold ourselves to a higher level and standard.

“We have a good gaffer and a good bunch of lads, just gotta give it some time.

“Not good enough today but we have the chance Tuesday to put things right.”

The loss, our first in four matches, means we drop to fifteenth but just three points from the top-half of the table and ninth place.

We find ourselves on the road again in our next match against Horsham as we look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat.

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Poku, Sterling, Hudson, Gordon (Roberts 72’), Blackman, Cawley, Greenhalgh, Rutherford, Knight

Subs not used: Hobbs, Bowman, Duncanson, Mazzone

Attendance

153

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