Blues Beat Bowers

Margate put in a professional performance as they overcome Bowers & Pitsea at the Len Salmon Stadium 2-0 on Tuesday evening.

Manager Andy Drury brought in Peter Ojemen, Adam Topley and Harvey Smith as the Blues looked to build upon their opening day draw against Kingstonian.

The ‘Gate started on the front foot with James Bessey-Saldanha causing the hosts problems with his quick pace down the wings, and it only took the Blues seven minutes to open the scoring as a free-kick was swung into the box towards Lewis Knight whose shot found its way to Smith who turned home for his first League goal for the ‘Gate.

Former ‘Gate Midfielder Freddy Moncur sent a fierce effort goalwards shortly after which whistled over Amadou Tangara’s crossbar, however the ‘Gate soon regained control of possession and continued trying to force a second early goal.

Margate were certainly in control of the first half, and almost saw their lead doubled on 28 minutes as Ben Greenhalgh fired a fierce effort goalwards, only for the home ‘keeper to make a solid save to deny the Blues skipper his second goal of the season.

The Blues went in at half-time with a comfortable 1-0 lead, however the hosts started the second 45 with much more intent, and the Blues back four had to be resolute to prevent the home side from creating any clear cut opportunities.

Bowers & Pitsea whistled one effort wide of the post in the opening 60 seconds of the half, before a four man Margate wall stood firm to block a ferocious free-kick from 20 yards which cannoned off the wall and away to safety.

With the hosts maintaining more possession for the opening 20 minutes of the second half, Margate began to wrestle back control of the game as Greenhalgh swung a deep free-kick into the box which was met by Smith whose header went wide of the post.

Margate had to thank Tangara in the closing stages as the home side raced through, only for the ‘keeper to stand firm and deny the striker to keep the scores at 1-0.

With the home side going all out to find the leveller, Margate broke away in numbers in the final minute of added on time as the ball was eventually rolled to Montrell Deslandes who struck a sweet effort into the net to hand Margate their first three points of the 2022/23 season.

MARGATE: Tangara, Hatfull, Topley, Knight, Hudson, Cole (Deslandes 86’), Blackman, Greenhalgh (Fisher 89’), Ojemen, Smith, Bessey-Saldanha (McCann 62’)

Subs Not Used: Oluwesemo, Howard

Margate Goalscorer’s

Harvey Smith 7’

Montrell Deslandes 90

Margate Man of the Match

Sam Blackman

Attendance

224

More news