Gate Beat Burgess Hill

Margate extended their unbeaten run to eight games courtesy of a disciplined and organised display away at Burgess Hill Town on Saturday afternoon.

On the back of consecutive home victories, Jay Saunders was able to welcome Connor Dymond back into his starting eleven; the only change to a starting eleven who successfully beat promotion contenders Merstham just seven days ago.

The visitors crafted an encouraging early opportunity when Tobi Sho-Silva displayed great vision to set George Brown through on goal, the Colchester loanee denied a shot on target by the recovering defender.

With just 12 minutes on the clock, Margate broke the deadlock. Brown the provider once again from a corner. This time centre-back Ben Swift was the Margate man in the right place at the right time.

Notching his fifth goal of the campaign, Swift showed great athleticism to beat his marker to glance the ball home, giving the host’s goalkeeper no chance from just yards out

Margate could have doubled their lead half-way through the opening 45 minutes when Tom Mills launched a troubling free kick towards goal. Swift involved with the attacking action once again, found team-mate Sho-Silva whose headed effort rattled the post and trickled along the goal line.

The Hillians came close to an equaliser before the break when a curling long-range effort whistled past Louis Wells’ post.

After the break, Sho-Silva illustrated his threat once again, after some great build up play from Jack Paxman and Jordy Robins saw the Margate frontman unleash three shots towards goal, each of which were blocked by a hard-working Burgess Hill back line.

Sho-Silva was rewarded for his endeavour after 55 minutes, causing enough hassle to turn a Paxman cross goal wards to double Margate’s lead.

Sho-Silva and strike partner Noel Leighton were a constant nuisance for the host’s defence, as the latter came close to setting up a third for Margate having pinched possession to tee up Paxman whose shot flew over the bar.

Having grafted a two-goal cushion, Margate managed the rest of the contest impeccably with Burgess Hill reduced to minimal – if any – clear cut chances.

With experienced Margate players including birthday boy and captain Liam Friend, overseeing proceedings, Saunders was able to introduce young talent from the bench. Jordan Ababio, Ben Fitchett and Marshall Wratten all coming on to help see out a valuable victory.

A professional performance from Margate who passed a tricky test against a Burgess Hill outfit fighting for their lives, as demonstrated by their application throughout the 90 minutes.

The Gate return to home comforts next Saturday, welcoming Kingstonian to Harstdown Park.

Margate: Wells, Mills, Friend ©, Swift, Dymond, Paxman, Robins, Rogers (Fitchett), Brown (Wratten), Sho-Silva, Leighton (Ababio)

Subs: Kallmeier, Mesquita

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