'Gate Suffer Defeat In Sussex

By Riley Finch 

The Gate suffered more late heartbreak this time at the hands of Horsham as an 87th minute goal was enough for all three points to remain at the Camping World Community Stadium.

Daniel Ajakaiye collected the ball as it cannoned off the post to slot past a helpless Harry Seaden in what was the only goal of a tough game.

The late goal was the third suffered in just four matches after conceding late on to Haringey Borough and Dulwich Hamlet.

Before the goal, the Gate seemed to have done enough defensively to earn precious point on the road.

Despite the loss of Tyrone Sterling, the return of Archie Johnson made for a formidable backline as the Hornets struggled to breakthrough for the majority of the game.

That didn’t mean Seaden was able to rest in goal however tipping the ball over the bar from an audacious Hornets effort and rising high to clutch numerous glancing headers from Horhsham’s wicked crosses.

While the Gate struggled to fashion a chance in the first 45 of the game, a brighter second-half presented Margate opportunities to break the deadlock.

Hatfull clipped Steve Cawley through the Hornets defence but the angle too tight to shoot from meant our top gaol scorer was forced to square the ball across the box only for it to escape the foot of a Gate player.

Rhodel Gordon was also unable to get clean contact after finding himself free in the penalty area from Hatfull’s incisive wide pass.

A Hornets defender was just able to throw themselves in the way of Gordon’s shot which looked to have been destined for the back of the net.

Calamity at the back also presented Fyn Rutherford with a chance at goal but he just couldn’t get the ball from under himself and his resulting scuffed shot was gratefully cleared off the line by a defender.

Rutherford found himself in behind again but was seemingly pulled back before he had a chance to bear down on the goalkeeper much to the anger of the Gate fans and players.

The referee was however unfazed.

The late goal was of course gutting for the players and the management team but having suffered through three of them in the past four games, this sting by the Hornets seemed to sink a little deeper.

“We cannot afford to switch off like that, said Reece Prestedge.

We defended well in the game, I’m gutted for them in there but you just can’t switch off like that.”

The returning Archie Johnson also spoke after the game: “It’s really tough to take again.

“We defended well enough to get something out of that game.

“16, 17 games into the season now, the time for patience is over, we just have to be better and put things right.”

Margate have struggled on the road but are given a home boost in our next match against Billericay which should see the return of Sterling who was benched for a knock and hopefully a return to winning ways.

“Sterling has played a lot of games this season, he had a knock, so we chose to rest him. He should be back by Saturday.

“We need to pick ourselves back up. We go again Saturday; we have to put things right”

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Poku, Hudson, Gordon, Blackman, Cawley, Greenhalgh, Rutherford (Roberts 88’), Knight

Subs not used: Sterling, Bowman, Duncanson, Mazzone

Attendance

591

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