By Josh Cole
It was a very GOOD Friday at Hartsdown Park as Margate beat Beckenham 6-2!
The game started superbly for The ‘Gate as in just three minutes, Max Walsh scored a stunner from outside the box to put Margate 1-0 up!
Just ten minutes later, Walsh had his and Margate’s second after Tom Derry dug a cross out from the right-hand side and Walsh was able to squeeze his shot under the ‘keeper!
Beckenham tried to reply to this two-goal deficit early on but the shots at goal were blocked.
In the 25th minute, Walsh completed his hat-trick! Ben Greenhalgh’s free-kick was headed towards the feet of Walsh inside the box and he smashed the ball into the bottom corner!
29 minutes on the clock, and The ‘Gate had four! The ball was sent over the top of the Beckenham defence for Walsh to run onto, his shot was saved but the ‘keeper could only push to Greenhalgh and he dispatched the rebound!
Beckenham and Margate still had chances towards the end of the first half but no goals were scored and the home side took a four-goal advantage into the interval!
The second half saw some early chances for Beckenham, but they were only half chances.
In the 61st minute, Louie Atkins was brought on for Tushaun Walters and just two minutes later, Atkins put his name on the scoresheet and made it five!
It was a header at the backpost for Margate’s number #18 which he guided on target and into the back of the net!
Beckenham pulled a goal back in the 74th minute Tom Wray couldn’t hold onto the first effort and the ball fell to Louis Theophanous and he scored.
From this point on, the game became reminiscent of a basketball match, Beckenham throwing everyone forward and Margate not willing to just sit back and defend the 5-1 lead.
The 86th minute, Beckenham had their second of the match, Theophanous scored again with a superb strike beating Tom Wray.
Margate pushed for a sixth into the latter stages of this match and this goal came in the 94th minute!
Ben Allen finished off a lovely sweeping move from The ‘Gate as he shifted the ball onto his right foot and fired a low drive into the far corner!
Margate XI: 13. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 4. Max Walsh (Ben Allen 76′), 6. Harry Hudson (C), 7. Tushaun Walters, 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 14. Brandon Davey, 15. Sam Blackman (Fyn Rutherford 56′), 16. Tyrone Sterling, 17. Kai Garande, & 19. Tom Derry.
Unused subs: 8. Harvey Brand & 9. Ibrahim Olutade.
Margate Media Man of the Match: Max Walsh
MFC Goalscorers: Walsh 3′, 13′, 25′, Greenhalgh 29′, Atkins 63′ & Allen 90+4′
Attendance: 533
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