'Gate Start 2025 With Derby Win

By Josh Cole

The ‘Gate go marching on as the first game of 2025 ends in a win at The Crest Stadium!

Ben Greenhalgh opened the scoring for Margate on the 26th minute with a screamer that bounced in off the crossbar!

Kai Garande doubled our lead in the 69th minute with another superb goal as he took it past one defender and from outside the box fired one into the bottom corner!

Kane Haysman did pull one back for The Bay on the 73rd minute but Margate held on to win away!

Crazy weather was forecast and CT6 in Kent was very wet and windy, lucky for the all-weather pitch the game was on.

Ben Allen had the first chance in the 2nd minute, but he put it low and wide of the goal.

In the 5th minute Herne Bay did have the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman was quick to raise his flag and ensure the goal could not stand.

Bay had another chance in the 13th minute, but Reece Hobbs pulled off a great close range save!

Greenhalgh hit one from range in the 14th minute and it just went over the bar, foreshadowing the goal to come…

And that goal came in the 26th minute from the aforementioned Greenhalgh with a brilliant effort that bounced off the crossbar and in!

The half would end 0-1 to The ‘Gate in a tight derby affair.

With Herne Bay down at the bottom of the table, they came out with intent to turn their season around and Hobbs had to make a good save down low to prevent the equaliser just three minutes after half-time.

Garande then struck a dagger into The Bay’s heart with a superb strike from outside the box and it flew into the net making it 2-0 in the 69th minute!

Herne Bay would pull one back through Haysman just four minutes later.

The clock ticked down and on New Year’s Day, The ‘Gate have started 2025 how they left in 2024, WITH THREE POINTS!

Margate XI: 13. Reece Hobbs (GK), 6. Harry Hudson ©, 8. Harvey Brand, 9. Ibrahim Olutade, 10. Ben Allen (Jordon Ababio 64’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 12. Lewis Knight, 15. Gabriel Duo, 16. Tyrone Sterling, 17. Kai Garande, and 18. Louie Atkins (Enoch Muwonge 77’).

Unused Subs: Loui Hoxha & Jack Peters.

MFC goalscorers: Ben Greenhalgh 26’ and Kai Garande 69’

Margate Media Man of the Match: Kai Garande

Attendance: 652

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