Blues Beaten By Billericay

By Riley Finch 

A clinical display from visitors Billericay Town meant all-three points head back to Essex in a 3-1 victory over the ‘Gate at Hartsdown Park.

Billericay scored early and late in the first-half through Bradley Stevenson and Frankie Merrifield to give the away side a comfortable lead going into the second-half.

Stevenson ran in behind the ‘Gate defence to slot the ball past Harry Seaden just nine minutes in and Merrifield curled the ball into the side netting in what was the last action of the first-half.

Somewhere in between the two goals however, a period of dominance created a number of chances for the ‘Gate which not only left us questioning how we were not level but in fact if we should be leading by the end of the first half.

Ben Greenhalgh cleverly found his way to the by-line after, a long, floated ball in behind and his wicked cross was headed over the bar by an on rushing Sam Blackman in the six-yard box.

Blackman would again fail to keep his effort on the right side of the bar heading just over and it would take a stunning save from Dan Wilks to prevent Lewis Knight’s glancing header from making the score level.

Billericay’s number one was also called upon to deny Steve Cawley in what was the chance of the half for the ‘Gate.

Returning Loanee Olly Box’s darting run found Cawley unmarked in the centre of the box but his low driven shot was saved brilliantly as the keeper just tipped the effort onto the heel of the post.

In a second-half which presented little opportunities, the ‘Gates chance of a comeback looked slim and in the 71st minute a third goal from Billericay all but confirmed another defeat.

Cawley coolly dispatched a 79th minute penalty after a push on Greenhalgh but our top goal scorers 7th of the season resulted in just a consolation.

Captain Sam Blackman spoke after the game: “After their goal, the next fifteen-twenty minutes is the best I’ve seen us on the ball all season.

“We had our chances, myself included, and then they score against the run of play.

“It’s tough to take.

“But at the end pf the day you’ve conceded three goals, you can’t make any excuses.”

The loss drops Margate to 16th yet still just three points from the top-half of the table.

Margate travel to Bognor Regis Town in their next test, a game which feels a must win after a string of tough results.

“Bognor is a tough place to go to, they play on a grass pitch and they will be up for it.

“But we have to go there and get the job done and put right what went wrong today.”

Margate Xl: Seasden, Hatfull, Johnson, Poku (Rutherford 76’), Sterling, Hudson, Blackman, Cawley (Bowman 84’), Greenhalgh, Box, Knight (Gordon 61’)

Subs not used: Duncanson, Mazzone

Goalscorer

Steve Cawley 79’ (Pen)

Man of the Match

Harry Seaden

Attendance

473

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