Margate Conclude Season With Point

Margate concluded their season drawing 1-1 away at second place Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday afternoon. 

A George Essuman header gave the visitors the lead before Michael Chambers levelled with 10 minutes to play.

Centre back Essuman showed his attacking threat in the opening stages of the match, unleashing a powerful shot on target within the penalty area. His effort was smartly saved by the host’s keeper.

Just 15 minutes into the contest, Manager Steve Watt was forced to make a substitution when top scorer Jordan Chiedozie pulled up with injury. He was replaced by Sidney Sollis who seized his opportunity with both hands, producing a hard-working performance up top for the rest of the game.

Fellow forward Jay May was next to have a shot on Hamlet’s goal as he showed quick feet to switch play and get plenty behind his placed effort towards goal.

Margate showed glimpses of real quality in their passing play whilst a change of shape at the back failed to show any signs of weakness to keep the Dulwich attack relatively quiet.

As the half wore on, both teams continued to probe the other but the first 45 concluded with neither keeper having to much to worry about. 

It was only 60 minutes in when Lenny Pidgeley pulled off an outstanding save to deny Dulwich as an unmarked man at the back was crucially denied by the outstretched palm of the Margate keeper.

The Gate took this momentum forward, capitalising on practically the same opportunity the other end. Essuman providing a bullet header from a Frannie Collin set piece to give Margate the lead.

Essuman showed his defensive qualities moments later as Dulwich looked for an immediate equaliser only to be denied by the young loanee.

Watt introduced Sidney Warden to play, handing the youngster his debut for The Gate in front of a crowd of over 1,200 fans. The Margate Under 23s player slotted into the team with ease and immediately showed maturity and composure on the ball. 

Sollis almost doubled the lead, when his hard work up top pressured the Dulwich defence into error, with the promising young Margate player on hand to pick up possession and poke the ball agonisingly towards goal. 

The match fizzled out towards the latter stages as Margate finished their season with a point, finishing 7th in the Bostik League with 77 points.  

As the full time whistle blew on a memorable 2017/18 campaign, the first team squad and management headed to the loyal contingent of away fans to thank them for their continued support during a season focused on favourably stabilising the club’s fortunes – both on and off the pitch. 

Margate: Pidgley, Wynter, Essuman, Friend, Mills, Rogers ©, Blackman, Collin, May (Warden), Chiedozie (Sollis), Martin (Bokdin) 

Unsued subs: Astride, Lee,  

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