By Josh Cole
Margate produced a fine display at Hartsdown Park, dispatching Littlehampton by four goals to one!
Kai Garande opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a low strike that found the bottom corner!
Then just seven minutes later, Harvey Brand headed the ball in at the backpost after a goalmouth scramble!
Ben Greenhalgh put us three to the good in the 46th minute after a cross was parried into his path and he smashed a volley in!
Littlehampton found a goal back through Dan Simmonds in the 59th minute but Max Walsh made sure to restore the three-goal lead just six minutes later!
With Margate coming off the back of a loss and a draw in their last two home matches, The ‘Gate were eager to start early to get back on track!
Tom Derry came close in the 9th minute with a unorthodox volley which beat the ‘keeper but bounced over the crossbar.
Margate would get there duly deserved goal in the 22nd minute through Garande as he fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the goal!
Then, seven minutes on, Brand would double our lead after a goalmouth scramble lead to him having a header at the back post, which he dispatched!
A great save from Tom Wray came in the 35th minute denying Littlehampton a way back into this game.
Up 2-0 at half-time, it was no doubt a positive team talk and The ‘Gate came out firing, just one minute into the second half…
Player/manager, Greenhalgh converted after the ‘keeper parried a cross right into his path!
59 minutes on the clock and The Marigolds got a goal back but Margate were eager to knock the confidence right back out of their boots.
As in the 65th minute, a Tushaun Walters shot was parried right to Walsh and he buried the ball into the bottom corner!
Scott Faber received his second yellow card and got his marching orders in the 92nd minute with the game already done.
The Blues turn their attention now to an away game against Steyning Town Community next Saturday!
Margate XI: 13. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 4. Max Walsh (Louie Atkins 76′), 6. Harry Hudson (C), 7. Tushaun Walters (Ben Allen 69′), 8. Harvey Brand (Sam Blackman 69′), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 12. Lewis Knight (Emmanuel Oke 83′), 14. Brandon Davey, 17. Kai Garande, & 19. Tom Derry.
Unused subs: 9. Ibrahim Olutade
Margate Media Man of the Match: Kai Garande
MFC Goalscorers: Kai Garande 22′ Harvey Brand 26′ Ben Greenhalgh 46′ & Max Walsh 65′
Attendance: 385
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