'Gate Extend Unbeaten Run

Margate stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to nine games with a hard fought 2-1 victory away at Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday.

The Blues were without Golden Gloves winner for February Ben Bridle-Card through illness, as well defender Lewis Knight who was injured in the Blues win over Gillingham on Tuesday evening, meaning Owen Kallmeier deputised in goal and Crossley Lema shifted along to centre-half to partner Captain Ben Swift.

With key players out through injuries, Margate knew it would be difficult to extend their unbeaten run, and that proved too be the case after just 12 minutes as the Blues failed to clear their lines, allowing Luke Skinner to blast the hosts ahead.

The ‘Gate almost fell further behind just four minutes later as Dom Locke pounced in the box, only for Kallmeier to stand up strong and deny the Midfielder.

Margate were starting to grow into the game and almost levelled in the 22nd minute as James Bessey-Saldanha capitalised on a fumble from Regent ‘keeper Charlie Turner, although his effort was cleared off the line.

Ben Swift saw an effort go wide shortly after, but the Blues were finally level on the 34th minute as Bessey-Saldanha continued to cause problems running into the box, and on this occasion he pulled it back to Benas Vaivada who stroked it home for his first Margate goal.

Margate raced out of the traps in the second half and were ahead just five minutes into the second period as make shift centre-half Crossley Lema cut inside and smashed the ball home in the far corner to give the ‘Gate an early second half lead.

The Blues had the bit between their teeth and almost extended their lead moments later as Sam Blackman fired an effort just wide, as Margate looked to give themselves some breathing space.

With 19 minutes to play, Brightlingsea Regent substitute Carlos da Rocha fired a free-kick that hit the crossbar and went over as Margate were reminded that they only had a one goal advantage.

The ‘Gate had to soak up some pressure from the hosts heading into the final ten minutes with some brave defending from Ben Swift, and a missed header from da Rocha which hit the crossbar as Margate held on for another valuable three points in their hunt for an Isthmian Premier Division play-off place.

MARGATE: Kallmeier, Hatfull, Odaudu, Agyemang, Lema, Swift, Vaivada, Blackman, Bessey-Saldanha (Rutherford 73’), Bola (Feyi 62’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Lamb, Nzinga, Prestedge

Margate Goalscorer’s

Benas Vaivada 34’

Crossley Lema 50’

Margate Man of the Match

Crossley Lema

Attendance

239

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