'Gate Lose at Lewes

Margate suffered their fourth straight away league defeat in a row as they were beaten 2-0 by Lewes on Tuesday evening.

Manager Jay Saunders was able to welcome back Captain Ben Swift from suspension, but was once again without Lewis Knight and Joe Anderson as he had to settle for another makeshift back four.

Having lost their previous three away games, Margate looked intent on getting on the front foot as Louis Collins raced through one on one but saw his shot well saved in the tenth minute.

Despite the positive start, the Blues fell behind in the 12th minute as former ‘Gate striker Joe Taylor pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire the play-off chasing hosts ahead.

Taylor has long been a nemesis of Margate, other than when he has been in Blue, almost scored again as he saw a shot go narrowly over Ben Bridle-Card’s bar as Lewes looked to stamp their authority on the game.

Margate did start to find their feet as Benas Vaivada and Ben Greenhalgh went close, before Greenhalgh then saw one of his trademark free-kicks whistle past the post as the ‘Gate looked to find some momentum.

Greenhalgh again looked to be the one to unlock the Lewes back-line in the second half as his free-kick found Crossley Lema whose poked effort fell wide of the goal.

Realistically, the game was put to bed in the 59th minute as Razz Coleman De-Graft broke away down the right before cutting in on his left foot and unleashing an unstoppable shot past Bridle-Card which hit the crossbar and bounced over the line and into the net to double the ‘Rooks’ lead.

Margate knew it was now or never if they were going to get something as they began to push forward more. Firstly, James Bessey-Saldanha saw an effort saved which was recycled by Greenhalgh to Sam Blackman who saw his shot rise over the bar.

The Blues were getting closer though as in the 72nd minute, Collins thought he had his first Margate goal as he saw an effort strike the far post as Margate saw their chance of a point fading in front of them.

Lewes almost extended their lead in the final stages, however there was not much more goal mouth action as Margate travelled back to Kent having suffered another defeat on the road.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Odaudu, Agyemang, Lema, Swift, Vaivada (Bessey-Saldanha 62’), Blackman, Collins, Rutherford (Feyi 76’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Colmer, Lamb, Bola

Attendance

601

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