Five Goal Thriller Nudges Way Of Cray

Margate fell to their first defeat of the season after a five-goal thriller at Hayes Lane nudged in favour of hosts Cray Wanderers on Wednesday evening.

Early exchanges indicated it was going to be an entertaining affair and it certainly proved to be as a game of two contrasting halves unfolded.

After an even opening, Wanderers created a great opportunity when former Blue Joe Taylor marched down the right flank before firing a shot towards Jonathan Miles’ goal.

Margate showed glimpses of threat and pulled together some nice passing moves including a sweeping attack featuring Kudas Oyenuga and Adem Ramadan, the latter demonstrating quick feet to shot towards goal.

Ramadan proved a source of danger again when his rasping shot from 25 yards forced Lewes Carey into action.

As the half wore on, Cray began to up the tempo and a goal looked like it was coming for the League’s new-boys.

Though and behold, on the half-hour mark, Freddie Parker made the most of time and space in the area to fire the hosts ahead.

Despite a positive spell, Margate conceded again, this time from the penalty spot. After a trip in the box, Taylor stepped up to convert giving his side a comfortable two-goal cushion.

Margate almost halved the deficit from the restart itself when Oyenuga’s swerving shot was tipped to safety by Carey.

A reaction was required after a half that felt rather flat, and a reaction was delivered.

After some brilliant work by Oyenuga, Ramadan was released down the wing and whipped in a beauty of a cross for Noel Leighton to skilfully glance beyond the outstretched palm of the Wanderers goalkeeper.

Margate were on the ascendency, enjoying a dominant spell on the ball with a relentless work-rate that ensured Cray’s defence were given a far greater test to defend their advantage.

Kadell Daniel looked threatening for Margate and showed great vision to launch a shot towards an empty goal, Carey scrambled back to gather the ball and spare any blushes, as Wanderers withstood further pressure.

Cray extended their lead, ruthlessly capitalising on a Margate error. A loose pass was intercepted and a well-worked move rounded off by a clinical finish from Parker.

The goal took the wind out of Margate’s sails for a spell, as Miles was called into action to prevent Cray from extending their lead. Firstly, parrying a powerful shot from distance wide before pushing out a curling shot on the edge of the box for a corner.

The Gate refused to give up on taking some points back to Kent and in the dying minutes of the match scored a second.

Ramadan providing again, manoeuvred his way into the area and after a series of blocked shots, the ball fell to centre-back Dan Johnson who made no mistake with his finish.

The clock was against The Gate, as the full-time whistle quickly followed drawing to a conclusion an entertaining fixture between two good footballing sides.

After a testing string of games on the road, Margate will look forward to some home comforts this Saturday as they welcome Lewes to Hartsdown Park.

Margate: Jon Miles, Chris Sessesgnon, Jay Porter, James Rogers, Dan Johnson, Ben Swift, Adem Ramadan, Jordan Robins, Kudas Oyenuga (James Jeffrey, 79), Noel Leighton, Kadell Daniel

Subs: Craig Holloway, Giani Ashley, Harrison Pont, Harrison Hatfull

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