By Dylan Smith
The ‘Gate looked to turn their home form around following a brilliant win away at Hythe Town. Unfortunately, they were held to another draw as Phoenix Sports would hit the blues on the counter twice. Goals from Ben Allen, Max Walsh, Dominic Morgan-Griffiths and Tyler Anderson saw the game end in a stalemate, with the scoreline being 2-2.
Margate came out of the blocks firing, as they looked to assert their dominance on the game. A couple early efforts from Ben Greenhalgh and Allen were unable to trouble the keeper, however, gave the Blues some momentum as the half progressed.
The ‘Gate nearly took the lead in the 12th minute, but Sam Freeman did a brilliant job to keep the ball out of the net. A cross came into the back post, the ball fell to both Harry Hudson and Tyrone Sterling. They both somehow got a clean connection on the ball to send it goalwards, but the ‘keeper denied them at the near post.
Margate took a deserved lead in the 18th minute as birthday boy Allen put his name on the scoresheet again. The ball was bouncing up around 25-yards from goal on the angle, on the swivel, he was able to lob the ‘keeper with a half-volley, breaking the deadlock in the game.
Despite Margate having most of the ball, Phoenix Sports found an equaliser later into the half. A poor corner led to Anderson picking up the ball on the halfway line, he ran past his defender and with Tom Wray being in two minds he was able to skip past him as well and tap into an empty net.
Fortunately, it wouldn’t be long until the ‘Gate took the lead again. Kai Garande produced a brilliant cross from the left flank, the ball fell to Walsh who produced a somewhat unorthodox one-two with new striker Tom Derry which led to him smashing home at the far post, giving the Blues a deserved lead going into half time.
After the break, Pheonix Sport pulled level again in the 62nd minute. The ball found Morgan-Griffiths in the penalty area all alone and he was able to convert his effort, giving the away side an equalizer they deserved.
Margate were given a boost when Bradley Pritchard was shown red in the 78th minute, but countless amounts of efforts and goal mouth scrambles with the likes of Derry and Jordon Ababio having their efforts blocked on the goal line couldn’t produce the third goal Margate desperately needed, with the game ending 2-2.
Margate host Lancing at home next on February 8th as they look to bounce back.
Margate XI: 1. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 4. Max Walsh (Jordon Ababio 65’), 6. Harry Hudson, 8. Harvey Brand, 10. Ben Allen (Ibrahim Olutade 65’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 14. Brandon Davey (Louie Atkins 90’), 16. Tyrone Sterling, 17. Kai Garande, 19. Tom Derry (Josh Bayliss 90’).
Attendance – 484
Margate Goalscorers: Ben Allen 18′ & Max Walsh 36′
Margate Media MOTM – Ben Allen
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