Deslandes Delight For Blues

Margate overcome a resilient Chichester City side, foul weather and traffic delays to progress to the 4th Round of this season’s Velocity Trophy on Tuesday night.

With dual registration signing Ashley Nzala required by Dulwich Hamlet and Ade Cole missing through a back injury, manager Andy Drury moved Eddie Dsane into a central attacking position as the Blues shuffled their squad.

It was the front man of Dsane who should have opened the scoring with just two minutes on the clock as he raced through on goal, only to see his effort well saved by the home ‘keeper as the heavens once again opened in West Sussex.

The Blues started positively in the driving rain as they worked the ball to James Bessey-Saldanha who failed to hit the target as the Blues looked to taken an early lead. The Blues continued to work the ball well, however were unable to find a cutting edge as the game ticked towards half-time with neither side creating many clear opportunities.

The second half started with the Blues looking to get an early goal in the early stages in the driving rain, however a lack of attacking threat meant the game remained at 0-0.

The Blues almost took the lead on the hour as Ben Greenhalgh sprayed a beautiful ball through to Montrell Deslandes who forced his way through before seeing his shot blocked away for a corner. The ‘Gate thought they should have been awarded a penalty in the 70th minute as Bessey-Saldanha looked to be bundled over in the box, however the referee waived play on and Margate were left to try and break down a resolute Chichester defence.

Just five minutes after the penalty appeal the ‘Gate did take the lead after some nice play in midfield saw the ball wonderfully threaded through to Deslandes who made no mistake and slotted home to give the Blues a slender advantage.

As the intense rain continued to hammer the pitch, Margate had an opportunity to put the game to bed in the dying moments as Bessey-Saldanha again weaved his way forward only to misplace the shot.

Margate saw out the final few minutes relatively simply and progress to the fourth round where they will entertain Folkestone Invicta on Tuesday 22nd November at Hartsdown Park.

MARGATE: Jinadu, Hatfull, Fisher, Brodie (Oke 83’), Kaiser (Deslandes 45’), Hudson, Blackman, Bessey-Saldanha, Greenhalgh, Ojemen, Howard 72’) (Barton 89’).

Margate Goalscorer

Montrell Deslandes 75’

Margate Man of the Match

Harry Hudson

Attendance

121

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