'Gate Beat Kingstonian To Claim 8th

Margate ended the season with a 2-1 win over Kingstonian on Saturday afternoon at Hartsdown Park in the Isthmian Premier Division to claim 8th place in the final league standings.

With the chance to claim their highest finish in four years, Margate set out on the front foot as Montel Agyemang linked up well with Harrison Hatfull, before the former curled his effort wide in just the 3rd minute.

Kingstonian also had ambitions to finish 8th, above the Blues, however they had to wait until the 13th minute for their first effort, as Kershaney Samuels hit a free-kick straight at Ben Bridle-Card.

The ‘Gate continued to try and find an opening with Ben Swift and Ben Greenhalgh creating half chances, however it was the visitors that took the lead in the 24th minute as Walter Figueria lined up an effort from 30 yards, before unleashing a strike that beat Bridle-Card, and stunned the home crowd.

The Blues saw a Greenhalgh free-kick comfortable saved by Julian Schwarzer, as well as see Louis Collins almost get his head to a Hatfull cross, otherwise the first half trickled towards an end until Daniel Ajakaiye raced through one on one, only for Bridle-Card to save with his feet and deny the visitors a second before the break.

Margate knew they had 45 minutes to earn the point they needed to secure a top eight finish, and they started the second half on the front foot, passing the ball and keeping possession, although unable to create any clear cut chances.

It took 11 minutes of the second half for Margate to get their rewards as Sam Oduadu struck a thunderous effort goalwards, which smacked into the crossbar, before falling to Vance Bola who struck the Blues level.

The equalising goal seemed to spark a reaction from the visitors as Alex Addai forced a fine save from Bridle-Card, before Figueira smacked the post as Margate had to weather a Kingstonian storm briefly.

The Blues managed to steady the ship and almost retook the lead as Crossley Lema raced forward before seeing his shot saved. Four minutes later though and the ‘Gate had turned the game on its head as Hatfull again raced down the right before delivering a pinpoint cross for Collins who got his foot to the ball to grab his first ‘Gate goal.

The Blues had 20 minutes to see out to secure that 8th place, and they done it with relative ease, however there was a few moments of sharp breathes for the home fans. Kingstonian had the ball in the net in the 74th minute, but the assistant referee’s flag saved the hosts.

Alex Addai also caused some problems in the final few minutes with his pace, allowing him to cross into Gus Sow who saw his effort go over the bar as Margate secured the three points.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Lema, Agyemang, Knight, Swift, Vaivada (Bessey-Saldanha 59’), Oduadu, Collins (Rutherford 90’), Bola (Feyi 90’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Anderson, Lamb

Margate Goalscorer’s

Vance Bola 56’

Louis Collins 69’

Margate Man of the Match

Louis Collins

Attendance

509?

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