Blues Win At Wingate

Margate made it three wins from three in all competitions on Saturday afternoon as they scored a dramatic 93rd minute winner to beat Wingate & Finchley 2-1.

Manager Andy Drury was still without striker Korrey Henry (groin), Troy Howard (ankle) and Ashley Nzala who was required by his parent club Dulwich Hamlet, meaning Ben Greenhalgh and James Bessey-Saldanha were tasked with getting the goals for the Blues.

The Blues started brightly as Cameron Brodie fired a fierce drive over the bar as the ‘Gate looked to start quickly in the strangely warm mid-November sunshine. Despite the relatively positive start, the ‘Gate fell behind on nine minutes as a cross from the left was headed home by Darnell Wynter to give the hosts an unexpected lead.

Margate almost hit back immediately as Brodie found Ade Cole whose rocket of a shot was superbly palmed away for a corner. The ‘Gate were building in confidence and smacked the bar in the 24th minute as a header was tipped onto the bar as they looked to pick it up a notch.

Margate’s attacking options were further reduced in the 38th minute as Bessey-Saldanha went down with an apparent hamstring injury which saw him leave the field in place of Harrison Hatfull.

The ‘Gate were level just minutes before the break as a delightful free-kick from Greenhalgh was eventually bundled home by Harry Hudson to bring the scores level at half-time.

The second-half started well with Margate looking to take advantage of their equaliser before the break with several corners which caused the Wingate back-line problems, however the ‘Gate were unable to force the second goal.

With the clock ticking down into the last 15 minutes, sustained pressure from Margate was creating chances, however there was no luck for the visitors as Hatfull saw his shot well tipped over as Margate grew frustrated.

Just minutes later Margate had hit the bar for a third time as an in-swinging corner from Greenhalgh bounced off a body in the box which crashed against the bar and away to safety.

It looked as if the Blues had lost it in the 90th minute as Wingate forced the ball home with a rare attack forward, however it was adjudged to be with a hand and the goal was chalked off as four minutes were added for additional time.

As the clock ticked into the 94th minute Margate were awarded a free-kick which was struck well by Cole, only to see the effort palmed away for a corner. With just seconds remaining Greenhalgh swung in a wonderful corner which was met by Hudson for his second goal of the day and to send the away side and fans into pandemonium as they secured the three points.

MARGATE: Jinadu, Fisher (Oke 90’), Brodie (Deslandes 64’), Kaiser, Hudson, Cole, Blackman, Bessey-Saldanha (Hatfull 38’), Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen

Subs not used: Marsh

Margate Goalscorer’s

Harry Hudson 42’, 90+3

Margate Man of the Match

Harry Hudson

Attendance

165

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