Blues Earn Derby Day Win

Margate ended Kent rivals Folkestone Invicta’s play-off hopes on Easter Monday, as they completed the season double over Invicta, with an impressive 1-0 win at the Build Kent Stadium.

It was the hosts with everything to play for, as they knew defeat would end their play-off chances for another season. Alfie Paxman started the afternoon by getting the hosts on the front foot as he saw his effort saved by Ben Bridle-Card in the opening five minutes.

The Blues were in Folkestone to ruin the party though and had their first real chance in the seventh minute as Harrison Hatfull teased a ball into the box, which Benas Vaivada managed to head just wide. The Blues were on the front foot as Louis Collins then saw a tight angled effort saved, as the Blues looked to get the goal to give them the lead.

Collins, who is still looking for his first goal in a blue shirt, had a wonderful opportunity in the 34th minute as raced through one on one, only to see his effort well saved by Tim Roberts in the home goal.

The Blues did take the lead just four minutes later though, as the ‘Gate’s top goalscorer Ben Greenhalgh superbly chipped Roberts in the gaol, to give the ‘Gate the lead, with his second goal of the Easter weekend, and his 18th league goal of the season.

Margate started the second half on top as Greenhalgh again forced Roberts into another fine save, as Margate looked to put the game to bed.

With Cheshunt winning against Bishops Stortford, Invicta knew they had to win this game, and flicked the switch in the 56th minute as Josh Vincent forced Bridle-Card into a fine save as they looked to turn the game around.

Despite the hosts gaining more of the ball as they looked to force a result, Margate defended their territory well, restricting the hosts to long range efforts.

The clock slowly ran down, with Folkestone knocking on the door, but never really threatening, giving Margate the win, whilst ending Folkestone’s play-off hopes for another season.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Lema, Agyemang, Knight, Swift, Vaivada, Oduadu, Collins, Bola (Feyi 84’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used : Colmer, Bessey-Saldanha, Rutherford, Soyemi-Ololade

Margate Goalscorer

Ben Greenhalgh 38’

Margate Man of the Match

Ben Greenhalgh

Attendance

974

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