Margate concluded their pre-season schedule with a spirited performance despite a 3-1 defeat to National League South side Dover Athletic on Saturday afternoon.
The build-up to the fixture was disrupted by heavy traffic in the area, forcing Manager Ben Greenhalgh to make several late changes to his starting line-up. Five players who were set to start were delayed, giving the Blues a youthful appearance in the first half.
It was a quiet opening to the game, but Margate registered the first meaningful effort on target around the 15-minute mark through Louie Atkins, whose strike was comfortably collected by Dover’s trialist goalkeeper.
Moments later, TT Walters nearly opened the scoring with a fierce 25-yard drive that was tipped wide for a corner. Margate were certainly showing intent against their higher-tier hosts.
However, the breakthrough came at the other end in the 27th minute when Alfie Matthews converted from the penalty spot following a marginal call by the referee to give Dover the lead.
Margate were dealt another blow shortly after as Walters was forced off through injury. The Blues had to dig deep defensively, with new signing Blu Hustwaite producing a goal-line clearance to deny a second, before goalkeeper Tom Wray made a superb stop to keep it at 1-0.
That resilience was rewarded on the stroke of half-time when Max Walsh produced a moment of magic, swivelling superbly on the edge of the box and unleashing a thunderous strike into the net to level the scores.
With the delayed players introduced at half-time, Margate aimed to build on their late first-half momentum. However, just two minutes into the second half, Dover were awarded a second contentious penalty which Matthews again converted to restore the hosts’ lead.
Despite the fresh legs, the Blues struggled to create further clear-cut chances as Dover pushed forward. Former Margate men Francis Mampolo and Ruben Soares-Junior looked lively and came close to extending the home side’s advantage.
That third goal eventually arrived in the 80th minute as Max Fiddes found space in the area to turn and finish past Wray, sealing the result.
There was more frustration for Greenhalgh late on when Brandon Davey was shown a straight red card in the 85th minute for what appeared to be a routine challenge — a decision that left players and fans alike stunned.
Despite the result, both sides will have taken plenty from a competitive and high-tempo final warm-up. Margate now turn their full focus to the start of the 2025/26 Isthmian South-East Division campaign.
Next Fixture
Margate vs Jersey Bulls
Saturday, 9th August 2025 | Hartsdown Park | Kick-off: 1:00pm
Margate XI
Wray, Hatfull (Knight 45’), Hustwaite, Lamb (Hudson 45’), Oke, Davey, Atkins (Blackman 45’), Walters (Agbebi 32’), Walsh, Derry, Greenhalgh (Wells 60’)
Attendance: 614
Margate Goalscorer: Max Walsh (45’)
