Blues Narrowly Beaten By Angels

Margate were narrowly beaten 1-0 by National League South side Tonbridge Angels at The Longmead Stadium, as the Blues continued their pre-season schedule on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Reece Prestedge was without captain Sam Blackman and striker Steve Cawley, however it was the ‘Gate who started quicker as Phil Roberts pinched the ball from a Tonbridge defender, before seeing his lobbed effort easily collected by Jonathan Henley.

It took the hosts twenty minutes to get into the game, however it was Ruben Soares-Junior, back at the Angels from Margate who almost opened the scoring as his effort was incredibly blocked on the line by Tyrone Sterling. It was Soares-Junior that was creating the danger from the hosts as he stung the hands of Damian Niemczycki with another fierce effort.

Harvey Smith almost opened the scoring late in the first half as he was cleverly picked out by a fine Ben Greenhalgh free-kick, however the striker lifted the ball narrowly over the bar. Margate thought they did have the lead in the 44th minute as another well worked set piece was nodded across the six-yard box, before Roberts tapped home, only for the linesman to raise his flag.

With the goal disallowed, Tonbridge went straight up the other end and took the lead as Tommy Fagg fired home from a corner to give the hosts a narrow 1-0 lead at the interval.

Blues fans got their first glimpse of Roberto Ratti who was introduced at half-time, however it was a slow start to the half, even though Margate were much improved on keeping possession.

In the 75th minute, Margate almost capitalised on a Tonbridge mistake at the back as Jamie Fielding attempted to head the ball back to his ‘keeper, but he got it all wrong allowing Roberts to sneak in and roll the ball across the six-yard box, only for it to trickle past the ‘Gate players arriving.

A much improved Margate saw Greenhalgh flash a fierce strike narrowly wide, moments before the ‘Gate had their second goal of the afternoon ruled out as Ratti slotted home, only for the linesman again to raise his flag.

There was to be no time for any leveller as Tonbridge saw out the last five minutes to hold on to their 1-0 advantage.

Margate continue their pre-season campaign on Wednesday night when they travel to Welling to take on Erith & Belvedere with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm.

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