'Gate Earn Point Against Tags

By Ryan Day 

Margate battled the weather conditions and a spirited Hashtag United side at Hartsdown Park to earn a deserved point on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Reece Prestedge named the same side that beat Chatham Town last Tuesday as the Blues looked to continue on from their victory against the 2nd placed team in the division.

The ‘Gate started strongly with the wind behind them as they forced some early pressure via corner kicks, only for the visiting defence to deal with them relatively easily given the conditions.

With the weather continuing to play a huge part in the game, Margate almost took the lead in the 17th minute of the game as a long ball forward from Harry Hudson swirled in the wind before bouncing over Ted Curd in the visitor’s goal, only to drop inches wide of the post.

Four minutes later, and against the run of play, it was the visitors who took the lead as Misha Djemaili let fly from 20-yards which was well saved by Harry Seaden, however the Tags recycled the ball which allowed Djemaili to work his way into the box and side-foot home the ball for a 1-0 lead.

With Margate surprised by falling behind, the game became scrappy with the elements again having an impact as the half limped towards the break with not much more action, until the 38th minute when the impressive Rohdell Gordon split the visitors defence to find Harrison Hatfull on the right, however his low cross was collected by Curd in the goal.

Margate knew they had it all to do in the second half as they were now attacking into the strong winds, and it was the visitors who looked more lively in the opening stages of the second half as they forced several corners, all of which were dealt with by Seaden.

The ‘Gate thought they were level in the 60th minute as a superb ball in the box by Gordon was superbly headed home by Steve Cawley, only for the assistant referee to have his flag raised and Margate’s celebrations were soon dampened.

With Margate pushing for the leveller, they were leaving space at the back for Hashtag to run into and the ‘Gate had Seaden to thank in the 75th minute as he produced three saves to deny the visitors doubling their lead.

With the clock ticking away Margate’s hopes of a leveller looked to be fading away with five minutes’ additional time added. In the second minute of additional time, Hashtag looked to have put the game to bed as Nigel Aris was one on one with Seaden, however the ‘Gate’s keeper got down well to brilliantly deny the visitors a second which would have killed the game.

Margate would have Seaden to thank just a few moments later as the clock ticked into the 95th minute as Fyn Rutherford swung a high ball into the box which found Cawley who shaped himself well in advance to sensationally volley the ball home to send the home side into a frenzy as Margate rescued a point right at the death.

There was no time for any further action as the ref blew his whistle from kick-off as Margate made it four points in four days.

The Blues return to action on Tuesday night as they welcome Hastings United to Hartsdown Park with kick-off scheduled at 7:45pm

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, PokuSterling, Hudson, Gordon (Rutherford 85’), Blackman, Cawley, Greenhalgh, Knight (Box 80;)

Subs not used; Salmon, Duncanson, Mazzone

Goal(s)

Steve Cawley 90(+5)

Man of the match

Archie Johnson

Attendance

509

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