By Dylan Smith
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Margate looked to bounce back from their unfortunate loss to Sittingbourne as they hosted the Bears, who sat in mid-table prior to the match. The spoils were shared with goals from Sean Terry and a first goal in blue for Tushaun Walters Leaving the game 1-1 and both sides with a point.
The ‘Gate have failed to start quickly out of the blocks in recent weeks, the first ten minutes would come back to haunt them again.
A free kick in a dangerous area for the visitors was all they needed to take an early lead. Terry was found at the near post and with a brilliant diving effort, his header found the bottom corner.
With The ‘Gate on the backfoot, they tried to take some initiative in the game. They started to dominate the possession but were unable to conjure anything of real issue for the Broadbridge defence.
The closest they came to goal was through Ibrahim Olutade. Our number nine found some space on the right-hand side of the penalty area, let fly with venom but the ‘keeper was able to produce a vital stop.
With half time coming and going, Margate came out after the interval, knowing they had to put their performance right. Which is exactly what they were able to do on the 54th minute. Walters grabbed his first goal for The ‘Gate with a brilliant goal from outside the box, his curling effort from 20-yards just beating the ‘keeper.
The ‘Gate proceeded to pin the opposition in their area, having much of the ball in the final third. Tom Derry and Ben Greenhalgh went very close but neither of them could convert their chances, with Derry’s being from close range with an awkward header and Greenhalgh’s effort from the edge of the box going just wide of the post.
Max Walsh would be the next player to miss from inside the 18-yard box. The substitute was found all alone around the penalty spot, he swung his foot at it, but his lifting effort just flew wide of the post, with many thinking it was going into the top corner.
Just before the 90th minute, their captain Kyle Sim was dismissed for a second yellow card, giving Margate one last bit of momentum to try and find their second. Emmanuel Oke would be the last one to miss a crucial effort, as he sliced a shot just over the crossbar.
Despite the second half dominance, Margate were unable to find a winner and had to settle with another draw at Hartsdown Park.
The ‘Gate now look on to next weekend, as they host Littlehampton Town.
Margate XI: 13. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 5. Emmanuel Oke, 6. Harry Hudson ©, 7. Tushaun Walters (18. Louie Atkins 79’), 8. Harvey Brand (4. Max Walsh 73’), 9. Ibrahim Olutade (10. Ben Allen 79’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 15. Sam Blackman (14. Brandon Davey 46’), 17. Kai Garande, 19. Tom Derry.
Unused sub(s): 12. Lewis Knight.
Attendance: 451
Margate Media MOTM: Tushaun Walters
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