By David Hansen
Margate returned to Hartsdown Park for their fourth pre-season warm-up game as they faced Isthmian North Division side Concord Rangers. A dominant performance saw the ‘Gate run out 5-0 winners.
Preceding Kick-off the weather was playing havoc, with heavy rainfall as well as strong thunder over Hartsdown Park as supporters rushed for cover. On the pitch it was cagey as the weather disrupted any real early flow with neither time creating much at all.
The ‘Gate took the lead in the 17th minute as a fine low driven shot from Max Walsh beat the outstretched arm of the keeper to nestle in the net and give Margate a 1-0 advantage.
The majority of the first half following the goal was controlled well by Margate with the hosts being the more effective team going forward. The only major chance the visitors had come rather late in the half with the Concord striker smashing a long range effort which Tom Wray dealt with excellently.
No changes at half-time but it was Concord who started quickly with a nice move ending with the winger cutting inside the trialist before whipping a shot past Wray but also past the far post.
On the hour mark, Margate made a plethora of changes including the introductions of Tom Derry, Ibrahim Olutade, Harrison Hatfull and a returning from injury Brandon Davey.
Margate doubled their lead through Kai Garande, as some really good work from the full back to win back the ball, led to a rifled shot into the far corner from a tight angle to give Garande goals in back-to-back pre-seasons for Margate.
Concord Rangers made several changes following the second goal which really disturbed the flow of the visitors play allowing for the ‘Gate to turn the screw and really put the pressure on the Isthmian North division outfit.
The third goal came from a really well hit knuckleball free kick from skipper Harry Hudson, which the keeper could only palm to the feet of Olutade who had a tap in, a proper number nines goal.
There was a really good moment as returning from injury Brandon Davey put his name on the scoresheet, after a wonderful cross from Hatfull fell kindly to Davey to head into the far corner to give Margate their fourth of the afternoon.
Margate landed the final blow in the last minute of the game with a really well worked move, as Olutade won the ball back high in the Concord box, before slipping the ball to Derry who’s fantastic dummy took two defenders out of the game as Academy star Reggie Oboagye curled his low effort into the far corner to put the final nail in the Concord coffin.
That concluded a very good afternoon’s work for Margate as they continue their preparations for the upcoming campaign and work towards full fitness.
Margate are back in action on Tuesday as they travel away to Corinthian on the 22nd of July with a 7:45 kick off. Margate return to Hartsdown Park in a week’s time with a visit from Dulwich Hamlet on the 26th of July.
Lineup:
Wray, Trialist, Knight, Hudson, Garande, Wells, Walsh, Blackman, Walters, Agbebi, Atkins.
Subs:
Derry 69’, Olutade 60’, Hatfull 60’, Lamb 60’, Davey 60’, Oboagye 76’, Page 84’,
Goals:
Walsh, Garande, Olutade, Davey, Oboagye
