Margate secure three points at HDP

By Tommy Park

The Blues secured three points on Saturday after their 2-1 victory against Brightlingsea Regent.

Margate were determined to bounce back after they narrowly missed out on points against Bishops Stortford, and The Blues bounced back with a dominant performance against Brightlingsea.

From kick off, The Blues showed determination and it didn't take long to score the first goal. With Margate holding the ball well captain Ben Swift saw an opportunity and played a long ball to Vance Bola, who took it in his stride and powered into the area and at the last second slide it square past the keeper to Dan Thompson who tapped it home. 1-0 Margate four minutes in.

The visitors would push back after conceding and won a few corners around the 10th minute but The Gate defence stood their ground and dealt with the attacks, the entire back line for Margate would prove to be a near impassable team in this game.

The Blues would come close again and again in the first half pressing forward trying to consolidate their lead with a second goal. Ryan Palmer playing from the wing this game, would cause issues for the visitors and nearly put Margate two ahead in the 14th minute when the ball was won in midfield by Montel Agyemang and slotted into Palmer who just put his shot wide.

Margate would come close again in the 17th minute when Bola ran onto a ball through the Visitors back line, one on one with the goalie he just slotted his shot wide.

The visitors would have a close chance in the 22nd minute when Feyi received the ball in the area and turns inside taking a shot but putting it wide

The Blues would finally hit the net again in the 37th minute when Palmer scored. A great through ball from Ben Greenhalgh put Palmer in on goal from the left side and he took the ball into the box and smashed it past the goalie with his left foot. At this stage in the game the visitors did not seem to have a response for the constant barrage of Margate attacks.

Margate would lead 2-0 going into half time.

The second half kicked off and more of the same from Margate, not satisfied with 2-0 they kept on the press and would have more close chances and just missing out on that third goal.

In the 47th minute Greenhalgh would come close with a freekick from the edge of the box that just went over the bar. The Blues had some great chances to go three ahead but just could not quite get that goal.

The visitors managed to pull one back in the 71st minute out of nowhere Kinali took the ball down the right wing and struck it hard across goal just finding its way into the net.

The Blues clearly not prepared to lose this game would keep up the tempo and the back line would keep the standard high with not worthy performances from Crossley Lema playing his debut game at right back and with Bivesh Gurung playing centre back alongside Swift since Lewis Knight sat this game out due to an injury.

Margate would bounce back right away after conceding and would continue to dominate the rest of the match with more close chances. In particular Martial Godo after coming on as a sub got a great chance in the 80th minute after he took the ball past the Brighlingsea defence giving himself a one on one chance but the visiting keeper stood tool and came out to meet him saving the shot.

There would be four minutes added time and The Blues would hold off some dangerous attacks from the visitors but handled it well and kept their lead.

At full time Margate would be winning 2-1.

Margate XI: Pat Ohman, Crossley Lema, Joe Anderson, Montel Agyemang, Bivesh Gurung, Ben Swift(c), Ryan Palmer, Sam Blackman, Daniel Thompson, Vance Bola, Ben Greenhalgh

Subs: Jake Embery(63), Martial Godo(76’), ReecePrestedge, Harrison Hatfull(90), George Lamb

Goalscorers: Dan Thompson (4’), Ryan Palmer (37’)

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