Ashford United 3-3 Margate
The Green Box Stadium
Monday 25th August, 2025
Isthmian South-East
Margate needed a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser from Kane Haysman to salvage a point in a breathless 3-3 draw at The Green Box Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday.
With both sides still searching for their first league win of the season, Manager Ben Greenhalgh made one change to the starting XI as TT Walters returned to the side in place of the unwell Lewis Knight. Tom Derry and Kane Haysman started on the bench.
Margate began brightly, dominating the early exchanges down the right flank, where the pace of Walters caused constant problems for Ashford, particularly veteran defender Joe Ellul.
That pressure paid off in the 18th minute when Ibrahim Olutade outpaced Ellul and saw his low effort bounce off the goalkeeper and over the line — despite the best efforts of a recovering defender who thought he had kept it out.
Just eight minutes later, Olutade doubled the lead. A superb lofted ball forward from Ben Greenhalgh released the striker, who showed great composure to lift the ball over the onrushing keeper who got a hand to it, giving Margate a deserved 2-0 advantage.
However, the two-goal cushion lasted just two minutes. Ashford responded through Gary Lockyer, who found acres of space at the back post to nod the ball home and bring the hosts back into the game.
Walters continued to torment Ellul and went close with a curling effort just over the bar — an effort that turned out to be the final involvement for Ellul, who was substituted soon after.
Just before the break, Margate were forced into a change as Sam Blackman was withdrawn through injury, with Haysman entering the fray. The visitors held their 2-1 lead heading into half-time.
The second half began in a more cagey fashion, with both sides attempting to nullify the other. A couple of early Margate corners raised hopes of a third goal, but it was Ashford who struck next. On the hour mark, a low ball from the right was pulled back to former ‘Gate man Louis Collins, who slotted home to level the scores at 2-2.
Ashford pushed forward in search of a winner, and Margate had to weather a 10-minute storm. The introductions of Tom Derry and Kieron Agbebi brought renewed energy to the Blues, and it was Agbebi who nearly capitalised on a defensive lapse, only to see his chip saved.
A glancing header from Haysman marked Margate’s last real chance until stoppage time, as Ashford began to take control. With six minutes remaining, Wray made a crucial fingertip save, pushing a cross onto the crossbar to keep the scores level.
Moments later, a Barry Fuller free-kick rattled the woodwork, and it looked as though the home side would complete the comeback. Things went from bad to worse for Margate in the 90th minute as Emmanuel Oke was forced off with injury and replaced by Blu Husthwaite.
In the 94th minute, Ashford thought they had sealed all three points when Collins drove into the box and smashed home his second of the afternoon, sending the home crowd into raptures and leaving Margate’s travelling supporters in disbelief.
But there was one final twist. In the dying seconds, Max Walsh danced around the edge of the box and unleashed a shot that deflected into the path of Haysman, who made no mistake — firing home from close range to rescue a point in the 96th minute.
Remarkably, there was still time for one more chance. Olutade found space three yards out and pulled the trigger, only to be denied by a heroic last-ditch block from the Ashford defence. It was a frantic end to a thrilling contest.
Margate XI: Wray, Hatfull, Oke (Husthwaite 90’), Walsh, Hudson, Walters (Derry 68’), Blackman (Haysman 45’), Olutade, Greenhalgh (Agbebi 70’), Davey, Garande
Unused Substitutes: Hobbs
Goals
Olutade 18’, 26’
Haysman 90+6’
Attendance: 580
