'Scholars' School Margate

Margate suffered a third straight defeat in the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday as they were beaten 1-0 by Potters Bar at Hartsdown Park.

Lewis Knight and Joe Anderson made welcome returns to the Blues back-line, however injury to Louis Collins meant there was no place for him in the starting eleven, as well as Sam Blackman.

Margate started the game relatively well with Fyn Rutherford and James Bessey-Saldanha linking up well, before the latter stroked his effort over the bar.

Potters Bar included former ‘Gate striker Norman Wabo in their starting eleven, and it was his threaded ball through to Joe Boachie who created the visitors first chance, only for Ben Bridle-Card to snuff the opportunity out.

In a distressing moment of the first half, Wabo was about to pull the trigger on a shot, however crumbled to the floor requiring immediate attention, followed by the stretcher as the first half come to a subdued ending.

Margate had to withdraw Knight at half-time as he continued to recover from an illness, whilst a tactical move saw Jay Saunders introduce Vance Bola in the place of Ken Feyi.

One of Margate’s latest recruits almost gave the Blues the lead on the hour mark as Afolabi Soyemi-Olalade pounced on a Swift header, only to see his header cleared off the line.

Potters Bar took the lead in the final twenty minutes as a high cross, which appeared to be held up in the Hartsdown Park wind fell to Boachie at the far post unmarked to head the ‘Scholars’ in front.

In a somewhat frustrating afternoon for the ‘Gate, they were unable to create a clear opportunity to equalise, and it looked for more likely that the visitors would increase their lead as Boachie ran through, only for Bridle-Card again to deny the opportunity.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Anderson Soyemi-Ololade 57’), Agyemang, Knight (Lema 46’), Swift, Bessey-Saldanha, Vaivada, Feyi (Bola 46’), Rutherford, Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Colmer, Lamb

Margate Man of the Match

Harrison Hatfull

Attendance

440

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