By Josh Cole
A great season for The ‘Gate ends in the playoff semi-final after a 2-0 defeat away at Burgess Hill.
It was a quick start for Margate saw a free kick on the edge, but Ben Greenhalgh just curled it wide of the near post.
The game was nervy and edgy, neither team wanted to risk anything, and it showed, with slow build-up from Burgess and a solid defensive shape from Margate.
In the 25th minute Tom Wray produced a brilliant save to deny Jay Beckford at the near post, the linesman flag did go up in the end so it wouldn’t have counted either way.
Just three minutes later Greenhalgh delivered a cross towards the back post, Tom Derry headed it across goal, but it was scrambled away by Burgess Hill.
The home side took the lead in the 33rd minute through Martyn Box. It was a shot from inside the area, left-side and on the way through it took a wicked deflection, which wrong-footed Wray.
Straight up the other end a long ball from Harrison Hatfull was left by the Burgess Hill defence for Slav Huk to come and claim, but Ibrahim Olutade got in behind, however the resulting 50/50 bounced in the favour of Burgess Hill, and they cleared.
On the 38th minute a free kick from Margate was whipped in and Huk dropped again, but once more, it wasn’t falling to The Blues.
A minute later Greenhalgh had a chipped effort from outside the box which bounced on the bar twice before going over, heart-in-mouth moment for everyone in attendance.
Greenhalgh had another effort from range in the 42nd minute, this time near the halfway line and the ‘keeper makes another mess of the ball, but once more, Burgess were able to scramble clear.
Into the second half more crosses were going into the Burgess box, but nothing was falling for The ‘Gate attackers.
Burgess Hill doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute of play. Lovely play around the box saw Chris Whelpdale flick the ball into the path of Bobby Price, and he rounded Wray to score.
Hill continued to hold onto the ball and a tired ‘Gate were desperate to win it back, but Burgess had them at arm’s length.
Wray produced a fine save in the 86th minute to stop it from being three. A corner was delivered in, and it bounced to the back post where a Burgess player was waiting, Wray coming across his line saved well.
A 91st minute corner for The ‘Gate saw a ball drilled in along the six-yard box however an important touch from a green shirt just took the ball away from the head of Harry Hudson.
The game didn’t end without its controversy. An off-the-ball incident in the 97th minute between Tyrone Sterling and Ben Pope saw the Burgess attacker sent off.
Ultimately, once the game went to 2-0, despite all the effort from the travelling players, Burgess Hill saw the game out and progress to the playoff final.
A frustrating game with chances for Margate, it just wasn’t falling in the right areas.
Thank you to all the fans who travelled following your beloved MFC this season, and the support was fantastic today.
We will be back.
Margate XI: 13. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 6. Harry Hudson, 7. Tushaun Walters (Harvey Brand 83’), 9. Ibrahim Olutade (Max Walsh 75’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 12. Lewis Knight (Ben Allen 88’), 14. Brandon Davey (Tyrone Sterling 90+4’), 15. Sam Blackman (Louie Atkins 75’), 17. Kai Garande, & 19. Tom Derry.
Margate Media Man of the Match: Tushaun Walters
Attendance: 1,439
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