'Gate Win First Pre-Season Test

Margate got their 2022/23 preparations underway in perfect style at Hartsdown Park on Saturday afternoon, as they overcome Glebe 4-2 on a sun soaked afternoon.

Manager Andy Drury names a team for each half before kick-off as the new Blues manager aims to get minutes in the legs of the players over the next four weeks.

Drury’s first half team included debuts for Peter Ojemen, Harry Hudson, Taylor Fisher, Ade Cole, Adam Topley and Troy Howard.

The hosts raced out the traps with Ben Greenhalgh and Harrison Hatfull causing problems down the right hand side, and it was this combination that linked well in the 8th minute, as Hatfull found space on the right to square to a trialist who flicked the ball home at the near post.

James Dyer almost capitalised on a Harry Hudson mistake at the back, however his shot went wide of the far post, just moments before the visitors did level thinjs in the 25th minute as Freddie Cray nodded home from a corner.

Margate almost hit back immediately as Troy Howard turned on the pace to race clear of the opposition back-line, however he dragged his shot wide of Ollie Paine’s post from an angle. The ‘Gate certainly had the bit between their teeth as Taylor Fisher then pushed forward to zip a ball into the box, only for Paine to get down and divert away before any Margate players could get a touch on the ball.

The Blues had one final effort before the break as Ben Greenhalgh delivered a beautiful cross into the box from the by-line after Margate were awarded a free-kick, however Sam Blackman was unable to guide his header home from six yards out.

The second half team was mainly made up of trialists, with Ojemen and Howard the only two staying on from the first 45. The Blues fans did get to see Owen Kallmeier between the sticks, whilst Lewis Knight replaced Harry Hudson. Josh Oliver also took his place on the left wing, whilst new signing Emmanuel Oluwesemo took his place in attack.

With plenty of trialists looking to impress, the hosts got off to a shaky start in the second 45, and the visitors took the lead in the 50th minute as Jamie Philpott hit a shot at Kallmeier, who could only parry in to the air, allowing Philpott to nod in the rebound.

Margate soon found their rhythm though and saw a fierce shot smash off the post from a trialists, before levelling the scores moments later as Howard again showed his pace by getting free down the right and delivering a ball into the box which was headed home by Oluwesemo for his first Margate goal.

The former Faversham striker soon had his second goal of the afternoon as he converted into an empty net after a trialists had forced Paine to spill a shot to the feet of Oluwesemo to make it 3-2 to Margate.

Margate rounded off their afternoon with a fourth goal in the 77th minute as again Howard’s pace caused issues for the Glebe back-line. After working the space, Howards ball was deflected away by the Glebe ‘Keeper, but only to the feet of Oliver who rolled it home for his first of the season.

Margate continue their pre-season campaign on Tuesday evening as we welcome Faversham Town to Hartsdown Park, kick-off is 7:45pm.

The Club has made this game Pay What You Want for all supporters, with all donations being made to the Margate Football Club Community Trust.

Margate 1st Half Xl: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Fisher, Topley, Ojemen, Hudson, Cole, Blackman, Howard, Greenhalgh, Trialist

Margate 2nd Half Xl: Kallmeier, Trialist, Trialist, Ojemen, Knight, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Oliver, Howard, Oluwesemo

Margate Goalscorers

Trialist 8’

Oluwesemo 55’

Oluwesemo 62’

Oliver 77’

Margate Man of the Match

Troy Howard

Attendance

270

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