'Gate Defeated By High Flying Aveley

Margate fell to their third straight defeat on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten 1-0 by title chasing Aveley at Hartsdown Park.

With injuries continuing to plague Reece Prestedge’s side with still no Harry Hudson, Taylor Fisher, Sam Blackman (work), Phil Roberts and Ade Cole only fit enough to start on the bench, it was another tough afternoon for the Blues.

It was the depleted ‘Gate that started the game much brighter as they forced early corners, before Nathan Wood saw the first real opportunity fall his way as the ball found its way through and he attempted to loft it over the on-rushing goalkeeper, however he didn’t connect properly allowing a defender to clear before the ball rolled over the line.

It was the hosts that continued to apply early pressure as a wonderful Ben Greenhalgh corner was headed onto the cross bar by Harvey Smith as the Blues looked for an early advantage.

Aveley slowly worked their way into the game and thought they had the lead in the 37th minute as they headed home from a corner, however it appeared that Daniel Jinadu had two hands on the ball and the referee rightly disallowed the goal.

Another contentious issue was to follow six minutes later though as the visitors swung in a free-kick in which was headed home by Harry Gibbs, however the linesman once again raised his flag, before then lowering it. After several minutes’ discussion between the assistant referee and the referee the goal was awarded and Aveley took a 1-0 lead in at the break.

Margate lost Ruben Soares-Junior before the break to injury which saw Matty Macarthur return to the side after a week with parent club Gillingham, however it was the visitors who looked much brighter at the start of the second half as Nick Dembele rolled a ball across the six-yard box, which fortunately for the Blues evaded any Aveley contact.

On the hour mark it was Dembele’s chance to make it 2-0 as Jon Nzengo rolled another low cross into the Margate box, however Dembele was inches away from it as the ball rolled away to safety for Margate.

As the game ticked down to full-time, Aveley used their substitutes wisely and goalkeeper Jonathan North was booked for time wasting as they controlled the final twenty minutes with Margate applying very little attacking threat as they fell to a 1-0 defeat.

MARGATE Xl: Jinadu, Hatfull, Kasim, Christie, Wood, Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen, Oke (Cole 66’), Soares-Junior (Macarthur 45’), Smith (Sutcliffe 87’)

Subs not used: McCarthy, Young

Margate Man of the Match

Peter Ojemen

Attendance

522

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