By David Hansen
Another pre-season friendly ahead of the 2025/26 Isthmian League South-East Division led to a visit from Isthmian Premier Division side Dulwich Hamlet to Hartsdown Park for further preparation for the start of the new campaign on Saturday 9th August.
With Dulwich being a league above, the ‘Gate knew they would have a tough game on their hands. Dulwich had all of the early possession and had Margate in their own half but without inflicting too much damage or creating any significant chances, with the only highlights being several long shots blast well over the bar.
As the half wore on Margate began to see some more of the ball and led to the two best chances of the half through Ben Greenhalgh. Greenhalgh had a two long range efforts with the first flashing just wide of the far post and the other leading to a good save from the Dulwich Hamlet number one.
Even with Dulwich Hamlet’s control of possession it would be Margate who entered half time the happier, with the performance improving throughout the first forty-five minutes.
Margate continued into the second half with their solid performance and were rewarded with the opening goal as Tom Derry was sent through on the left and rifled a powerful shot into the near post in true Derry style to open his account for the day and rewarding the ‘Gate for their hard work.
It was all Margate at the start of the second half as winger TT Walters smashed the bar from range much to the gasps of the supporters who acknowledged what a spectacular effort it was.
The second goal came only a few minutes after the post being struck through Greenhalgh as he latched onto a bouncing ball and lofted it over the on rushing keeper to double Margate’s lead.
Following the second goal the became slightly more subdued with few chances, but Margate were doing well to conserve their clean sheet against a classy operator from the league above and with the final whistle cemented victory against Dulwich to conclude the game and move Margate a step closer to being full prepared fr the upcoming season.
Margate return to action again at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday as we welcome Sutton Athletic under the lights at Hartsdown Park with kick-off at 7:45pm.
Line-up:
Wray, Hatfull, Knight, Hudson, Garande, Wells, Blackman, Walters, Derry, Greenhalgh.
Substitutes:
Hobbs, Oke, Davey, Atkins, Agbebi, Olutade, Husthwaite.
Goals:
Derry, Greenhalgh
