Margate win derby at Hartsdown Park.|01.01.22

Margate defeat Folkestone Invicta|01.01.22

Match report

On Saturday Margate hosted local rivals Folkestone Invicta in their first match of the new year in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

From kick off The Blues were immediately on the attack trying to gain the upper hand early in the match. Margate had the first close chance in the 7th minute when Greenhalgh curled a cross into the box from a free kick but Lewis Knight and Ben Swift couldn't quite get on the end of it. The visitors pushed back and started to increase the pressure on Margate.

Folkestone were keeping the pressure on the hosts and stopping Margate from creating anything meaningful. After 12 minutes the visitors were pressing high and had multiple corners in a row but the Margate defence stood firm and kept Folkestone from scoring. Folkestone came close to taking the lead in the 19th minute when the ball was crossed low into the box but David Smith scuffed his shot wide.

Margate started to even the game out and took chances at the visitors goal. In the 23rd minute The Blues caused some issues for Folkestone when Greenhalgh picked the ball up and smashed a shot at Tim Roberts who fumbled the ball but just managed to collect it before anyone could capitalise.

Both sides had close chances and longer spells of possession but were struggling to take the lead. In the 36th minute Margate capitalised on their possession when James Bessey-Saldanha made a trademark run into the Folkestone box after losing his man. He took the ball past the Folkestone defence and slid it across the goal to Greenhalgh who calmly slotted it into the net.

Margate 1-0 Folkestone.

Margate took the lead in the first half and held out until half time and had some other decent chances before the whistle but stayed just one goal ahead.

At the start of the second half the visitors were trying to bring themselves back into the match and they were pressing high up the pitch trying to snatch a goal. Margate stayed calm and caught Folkestone on the counter in the 59th minute, winning a free kick close to the Folkestone box in the process. Greenhalgh took the free kick and curled it over the wall and into the net.

Margate 2-0 Folkestone.

Folkestone continued to attack and managed to bring themselves back into the match with their first goal in the 66th minute. After a long ball deflected past the Margate defence, Kieron McCann got onto the end of it and passed it into the net.

Margate 2-1 Folkestone.

Margate maintained control of the game and held off any oncoming Folkestone attacks. Both sides continued to fight for possession all over the pitch but Margate were starting to control the game more and more whilst still threatening the Folkestone goal.

The Blues consolidated their lead in the 86th minute when Greenhalgh picked up a loose ball and chipped it over the Folkestone defence onto Martial Godos run. Godo took the ball in stride and calmly slotted it past the keeper, solidifying Margate's victory.

Margate 3-1 Folkestone.

The Blues fought until the final whistle to make sure they secured the three points. In one of the most anticipated matches of Margate's season. The Blues took the lead in the first half and stayed in front for the entirety of the match securing the victory over their local rivals.

Margate XI: Ben Bridle-Card, Crossley Lema, Joe Anderson, Montel Agyemang, Lewis Knight, Ben Swift ©, Harrison Hatfull, Vance Bola, Ben Greenhalgh, James Bessey-Saldanha, Martial Godo.

Subs: Reece Prestedge, Fynn Rutherford, Jack Richards , Ryan Palmer(90’), Daniel Thompson(84’).

Goalscorers: Ben Greenhalgh(36’ 59’), Martial Godo (86’).

Attendance: 867

By Tommy Park

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