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Spirited ‘Gate Side Narrowly Defeated By National League South Angels

By David Hansen

It was back to business for Margate as they kicked off pre-season against Tonbridge Angels at Hartsdown Park with the visitors running out 3-2 victors with many players getting their first minutes into their legs. There was also a special name on the Margate team sheet…

It would be lead singer of The Libertines Pete Doherty who led out the ‘Gate with the armband on to massive cheers from the Margate faithful roaring their approval with Margate’s newest signing.

The game started rather tight with both sets of players getting used to being back out onto the pitch, but within the first 10 minutes of the game both sides struck the bar including a back post header from Sam Blackman which crashed against the bar from close range, with Tonbridge able to clear their lines.

The game started to flow, with Margate arguably being the better side, and their play was rewarded with the first goal of the game as Tom Derry was slipped in by a long range kick from goalkeeper Tom Wray before cooly finishing into the far corner with some help with a touch from Tonbridge Angels keeper Adams. 

Tonbridge were only able to force keeper Wray into a couple of times, with a couple of attempts from distance well saved by the Margate keeper including a strike which stung the gloves of the Margate #1.

Half-time came by and both teams made wholesale changes with most players remaining on the pitch doing extra work during the break.

With the number of changes Tonbridge began to turn the tide of the game. Tonbridge scored early in the second half with a wonderful peace of skill to cut back inside before bending an effort into the corner well out the reach of Wray between the sticks.

Tonbridge continued their good spell by adding a second as a really good low cross was met on the volley by Fielding and turned into the net at the near post past the newly introduced Reece Hobbs in goal.

With fifteen minutes to go, Margate managed to grab an equaliser as a bit of a scramble at the back post fell kindly to Louie Atkins who knocked the ball into the far corner of the empty net to put Margate level.

However, Tonbridge would regain the lead two minutes later with another nice cross, this time from Berry was smacked home from really close range by Tonbridge’s new forward Daniel Ajakaiye.

The final few minutes of the game were nothing to write home about about as the referee brought the first pre-season game to a halt with Tonbridge running out 3-2 victors, with both sides getting an excellent workout to begin their campaign.

Margate will continue their preparations for the new season with a long trip to Suffolk based Newmarket Town with a 12pm kick-off next Saturday.

Margate’s next home fixture will be in a fortnight time as we welcome Concord Rangers to Hartsdown Park to continue preparations.

Lineup: 1st Half

Wray, Hatfull, Walsh, Blackman, Derry, Doherty (c), Lamb, Oke, Peters, Agbebi, Saunders.

Lineup:  2nd Half

Wray, Husthwaite, Knight, Lamb, Garande, Wells, Walsh, Atkins, Agbebi, Walter’s, Blackman.

Goalscorer’s

Tom Derry 25′
Louie Atkins 75′