Margate slipped to their first defeat of the 2025/26 season on Tuesday night, falling 2-1 to last season’s beaten play-off finalists Sittingbourne at the Staxson Stadium.
The ‘Gate travelled without full-back Harrison Hatfull, sidelined with a suspected fractured hand. Manager Ben Greenhalgh was, however, boosted by the return of last season’s top scorer Ibrahim Olutade and midfielder Brandon Davey to the starting XI.
A Tough First Half for the ‘Gate
Sittingbourne started brightly and almost took the lead in the sixth minute when Isiaka’s fierce strike looked destined for the net, only for Lewis Knight to produce a superb last-ditch block.
The home side did make the breakthrough five minutes later. Margate failed to clear their lines and Jean Baptiste-Fischer found space 20 yards out. His shot took a cruel deflection off an outstretched leg, looping over goalkeeper Tom Wray to put Sittingbourne 1-0 ahead.
Margate responded with three half-chances in quick succession, but none truly troubled a Sittingbourne side unbeaten at home since the final day of the 2023/24 campaign.
The hosts’ second goal arrived in the 29th minute in spectacular fashion – but it was one Margate will feel was avoidable. A sliced clearance from Wray fell to Baptiste-Fischer nearly 40 yards from goal. Spotting Wray off his line, the striker lofted the ball over him and under the bar to double Sittingbourne’s advantage.
Greenhalgh Sparks Hope
Whatever was said at half-time had an immediate effect. Just 50 seconds after the restart, Manager Ben Greenhalgh pulled one back for Margate with a moment of brilliance – chipping goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney from 30 yards to make it 2-1 and give the visitors renewed hope.
The game settled again after the early strike, with Sittingbourne almost restoring their two-goal cushion when Jack Steventon’s cross forced Wray into a smart save.
Late Push Falls Short
With 15 minutes remaining, Margate began to press hard for an equaliser. Tom Derry’s flicked header from a free-kick was deflected wide, and moments later he cushioned a knockdown into the path of Sam Blackman, whose header lacked the power to beat Beeney.
Wray came to Margate’s rescue again on 80 minutes with a superb save to keep the deficit at one. Substitutes Kieron Agbebi and Louie Atkins were introduced shortly afterwards, and Agbebi almost made an instant impact – latching onto an Olutade through ball and forcing Beeney into an excellent low save.
Despite eight minutes of added time, the ‘Gate couldn’t find a way through, leaving Sittingbourne to celebrate their first home win of the season and handing Margate their first loss of the campaign.
Next Fixture
We now turn their attention to the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round this Saturday, with a trip to Cobham FC (kick-off 3pm).
Margate XI: Wray, Knight, Hudson, Walters (Agbebi 82’), Blackman, Olutade, Derry (Atkins 82’), Greenhalgh, Oke, Garande (Walsh 90’).
Subs not used: Wells, Husthwaite
Goalscorer: Greenhalgh (46’)
