Blues Share Spoils in Late Drama

By Ryan Day 

Margate and Corinthian Casuals shared the points in a four goal thriller at Hartsdown Park on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides came into the fixture with inconsistent form and it was the hosts that forced the early opening with Elliott Reeves and Noel Leighton forcing early chances with Leighton seeing his low cross evade everyone in the box as the ‘Gate started on the front foot.

Margate couldn’t convert their early possession into anything more and fell behind in the 26th minute in spectacular fashion as Casuals broke away before Mathias Bakare curled a delightful effort past Joe Tupper in the Blues goal.

It was Casuals who started the second half looking likely to double their lead with the impressive Bradley Wilson causing some problems for the hosts, however it was the home side who replied with an equaliser through Leighton latched onto a Kadell Daniel corner to level the scores.

The game went from end to end momentarily as Juevan Spencer went on a mazy run before seeing his shot saved before Margate hit back with two chances of their own through Daniel.

As the game began to head towards a 1-1 draw the hosts were left stunned with seven minutes remaining as Ben Checklit received a long ball into the box and fired home to give the Casuals the lead.

The hosts weren’t to leave empty handed though as with three minutes left on the clock as Leighton smashed home from some nice play between Jordy Robins and Dan Johnson whose cross fell to the striker to make it 2-2.

MARGATE: Tupper, Sessegnon, Porter, Prestedge, Friend, Swift, Abnett, Robins, Reeves (Johnson, 80’), Daniel, Leighton

Subs not used: Holloway, Ramadan, Richards

Attendance: 358

Goal-scorers

Leighton 58’

Leighton 87’

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