Margate recorded their first win of the 2025/26 pre-season campaign with a well-earned 3-1 victory over Newmarket Town on Saturday afternoon, overcoming sweltering 30°C temperatures and a determined home side at the Tristel Stadium.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh returned to the starting XI, though the Blues were without Sam Blackman, TT Walters, and new loanee Kieron Agbebi for the trip to Suffolk.
Despite Newmarket carving out two early opportunities, it was Margate who struck first. Just four minutes in, Ibrahim Olutade—making his first appearance of the season—unleashed a fine effort from outside the area to open the scoring.
The visitors doubled their lead in the 9th minute when Greenhalgh’s free-kick from the right-hand side found its way into the back of the net, giving the ‘Gate a commanding start.
Newmarket responded positively, pulling one back in the 21st minute with a precise through ball that split the Margate defence, allowing the home striker to calmly slot past Reece Hobbs.
The soaring heat soon took its toll on the pace of the match, and chances dried up as both sides went into the break with the score at 2-1.
Margate made three changes at the interval, introducing Harrison Hatfull, Emmanuel Oke, and Max Walsh. It was Walsh who came closest early in the second half, rattling the post with a powerful effort just four minutes after the restart.
Full-back Kai Garande showed no signs of being slowed by the conditions as he dazzled down the flank on the hour mark, beating three defenders in a mazy run, but his cross couldn’t find a teammate.
The Blues weren’t to be denied for long. In the 66th minute, Olutade turned provider, setting up Tom Derry who made no mistake in converting to restore Margate’s two-goal cushion with his second goal of pre-season.
It was a solid outing for the Blues, who will look to build on this performance as preparations for the new campaign continue when they travel to Whitstable Town on Tuesday evening.
Margate XI: Hobbs, Trialist (Hatfull 45′), Hudson, Knight, Garande (Lamb 61′), Peters (Trialist 83′), Wells, Atkins, Greenhalgh, Derry (Saunders 78′), Olutade
Goals:
Olutade (4′)
Greenhalgh (9′)
Derry (66′)
