'Gate Suffer Defeat To Rocks

By Riley Finch

Super sub Tommy-Lee Higgs ignited Bognor Regis Town to a convincing 2-0 victory over Margate with a goal at Hartsdown Park.

Tyrone Sterling and Godfrey Poku were unable to clear their lines on the edge of the box and Higgs took advantage of their miscommunication at the back planting the ball into the bottom right of Harry Seaden’s goal to give the visitors the lead. Ten minutes later, Bognor exposed Margate’s high line and Higgs brilliantly found Pattenden who swept the ball across to Dan Gifford to turn home into the empty net.

The two goals should come as no surprise for the 'Gate who were given fair warning in the first-half which reluctantly finished goalless. Gifford squandered a golden chance, putting the ball wide from just six yards out and would do the same again finding himself free on the edge of the box after a clever cutback. Jasper Mather also had the chance to give his side the lead finding himself free in the box after a some clever interplay to swarm Seaden but 'Gate bodies on the line prevented the goal.

Whilst Bognor had clearly found their super sub, Margate replied with theirs, youngster Vinnie Bowman. Bowman put in a good shift once he came on and could’ve easily netted with Bognor’s keeper Ryan Hall slipping to give Bowman a massive chance to give Margate a sign of life. With the youngster bearing down on goal, he put the ball just wide of the post at a tight angle.

Mark Stimson was full of praise for his new signings last week and should be once again with loanee Ryan Lowe the architect in the Gates midfield and Francis Mampolo looking dangerous at times. Ultimately however, defensive mistakes and a lack of cohesion in attack meant another loss.

It has certainly been a tough period for Margate, losing Sterling and controversially Sam Blackman for a number of games through suspension and now an injury and when they returned, Ben Greenhalgh’s red card meant he was then out too.

With new signings settling in and perhaps more on the way, a win doesn’t appear to be too far off the horizon as Stimson looks to turn things around at Hartsdown Park.

Perhaps it could be as soon as next Saturday when we face Lewes who conceded five away to Billericay in their fixture today.

Margate: Harry Seaden, Archie Johnson , Godfrey Poku (Vinnie Bowman 69'), Tyrone Sterling, Harry Hudson, Rohdell Gordon, Steve Cawley, Ellis Ashworth, Fyn Rutherford, Ryan Lowe, Francis Mampolo.

Unused Subs: Taner Dogan, Reece Hobbs, Lewis Knight, Leo Mazzone

Attendance: 339

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