By Dylan Smith
Following a two-week break, The ‘Gate looked to fall back into the winning column as they hosted Lancing at Hartsdown Park.
They went on to win in emphatic fashion, with goals from Ben Greenhalgh and two from Ibrahim Olutade, giving The ‘Gate three goals, a clean sheet and three points on the day.
Margate looked to insert the pressure from the get-go, Olutade came close to breaking the deadlock in the opening minute. He was played in behind, swung his foot at it, but his effort cleared the crossbar. He would also be brought down in the box a couple minutes later, but the referee waved away any potential claims.
Despite having the majority of the ball in the first half, it took until the 44th minute for the Blues to take a well deserved lead. Olutade was fouled on the edge of the Lancing area, leaving Greenhalgh to curl one into the top corner brilliantly from the resulting free kick.
The game would go from good to great in the last seconds of the half. In the fourth additional minute of added time, Olutade would accidentally block Walsh’s goal bound effort on the line. Fortunately, he was able to pick up the pieces and smash home from close range, making it 2-0 going into the break!
Following the interval, The ‘Gate came out of the dressing room looking to put the game to bed. Tom Derry nearly picked up his first goal in Blue instantly in the second half. He managed to beat two defenders using his pace, but his effort dragged wide of the post.
The next 15 minutes saw a bombardment of chances for Margate, with Tyrone Sterling hitting the back stanchion of the goal, Greenhalgh looked to find his second, but his efforts were too soft, and Derry also looked to fire his first in the net. The Lancing ‘keeper stood firm, not allowing the game to slip away from the visitors.
Finally, in the 66th minute, Margate would seal the deal with Olutade picking up his second pretty much killing off any opportunity for a late slip up. Greenhalgh’s corner found our number nine lurking at the near post, leaving him to thump a header into the goal. Game, set and match.
Margate went on to control the ball convincingly in the last third of the match, with four additional minutes passing, the final whistle went for a much needed three points at home!
The ‘Gate travel to Sittingbourne on Tuesday night as they look to continue their fine away form!
Attendance: 348
Margate XI:: 1. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 4. Max Walsh, 6. Harry Hudson ©, 8. Harvey Brand (Ben Allen 72’), 9. Ibrahim Olutade (Fyn Rutherford 85’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 14. Brandon Davey (Jack Peters 85’), 16. Tyrone Sterling, 17. Kai Garande, 19. Tom Derry (Louie Atkins 82’)
Unused subs: 13. Reece Hobbs
Margate Media MOTM: Ibrahim Olutade
MFC Goalscorers: Ben Greenhalgh 44′ & Ibrahim Olutade 49′ 66′
UP THE ‘GATE
