Horsham Humble Blues

Report by Jack Waters

The Blues poor form continued as the Gate lost 4-0 away to Horsham, with Ben Greenhalgh and Reece Prestedge still looking for the first win as joint managers.

Despite returning defenders Harrison Hatfull and Harry Hudson coming back into the team from injury, and new signing Nathan Wood making his first start for the Gate it was another disappointing afternoon in West Sussex.

The home side started the game brightly as they forced Daniel Jinadu into making the first save of the game, as he collected a low driven shot comfortably before Margate had theirs, with Phillip Roberts trying an audacious lob, but unfortunately for the Blues, the flag was raised for offside.

In the 8th minute, the first clear cut chance fell for the hosts, as Horsham broke down the left-hand side and drilled a low driven cross, the first shot was brilliantly saved by Jinadu, and Hester-Cook followed up by firing wide of the left-hand post.

Margate followed up with their first clear cut chance, as Ben Greenhalgh’s recycled corner was whipped in brilliantly with Nathan Wood throwing himself at the ball and hitting the post, as the new signing from Tonbridge Angels tried to put his name on the game.

The first goal of the game, fell to Horsham, as a corner was whipped which saw Jinadu palm the ball upwards allowing Jack Strange to poke home, to put Horsham 1-0 in the 15th minute.

Both sides were looking dangerous going forward, but the Horsham’s defence stood strong, as they dealt with Nathan Wood’s dangerous cross, but Horsham hit the Blues on the break, as Jinadu save kept the score 1-0 before moments later, Jack Brivio shot from 20 yards out which was saved once again by Margate’s number one.

Margate ended the first half the stronger of the two sides, as Roberts held the ball up and puts a dangerous cross into the box, the ball was deflected of a defender, it was saved well by Horsham’s goalkeeper, Nathan Wood then connected with the rebound and the defender blocked well again to deny Wood a debut goal, as the half time whistle was blown minutes later.

The ‘Gate started the second half strong with Ben Greenhalgh racing down the right side, however his cross evaded everyone as Margate picked up the pace again. Minutes later, Roberts had a shot smashed wide as the Blues went in search of an equalising goal.

Horsham found their feet in the second half on the hour mark, as Peter Ojemen’s last ditch defending kept the score 1-0, with Dan Jinadu making an outstanding save from the resulting corner as the hosts kept knocking on the door having a great period in the game as they looked to double their lead.

Horsham did eventually double their lead in the 73rd minute, with Tom Richards driven shot found the back of the net. Horsham added the third and fourth in a matter of two minutes, both goals were on the counterattack, the third was controversial, as Sam Blackman was bundled down in the penalty box, the referee waved it away, Blackman stayed down holding his knee, as the hosts went back to forward in a matter of moments, as Rodrigues put the game to bed. A minute later Jack Mazzone tapped home to condemn the Blues to a 4-0 defeat which leaves them six points ahead of the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Bognor Regis Town on Saturday.

Margate XI: Jinadu, Hatfull, Hudson, Cole, Blackman (Brodie 90’), Roberts (Bessey-Saldanha 71’), Greenhalgh©, Barton, Ojemen, Macarthur (Deslandes 87’), Wood

Subs not used: Oke, Sutcliffe

Attendance:

809

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