By David Hansen
It was a frustrating afternoon at Hartsdown Park as Margate slipped to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Croydon Athletic, with several key refereeing decisions going against the Gate in difficult playing conditions.
The first half began in blustery, swirling winds that made possession hard to maintain for both sides. The first major flashpoint came when Kai Garande broke into the box and appeared to be pushed in the back by a Croydon defender. Despite initially staying on his feet, Garande was eventually bundled over, but strong appeals for a penalty were waved away.
That incident seemed to spark Margate into life, with the hosts creating the better chances as the half progressed. Sam Blackman tested Tangara with a long-range strike, while Ben Greenhalgh forced the Croydon keeper into a smart save to deny the Margate boss.
The second half proved the more eventful of the two. Croydon threatened early with a lobbed effort that drifted narrowly wide, before a venomous half-volley forced Tom Wray into a superb reflex save to keep the scores level. In the 52ns minute the visitors took the lead as a ball into the box was turned home.
Controversy struck again shortly after when a Margate shot from distance was blocked by what appeared to be a clear handball inside the area. The Croydon defender’s intervention was compared by many to a goalkeeper’s save, but once again the referee dismissed the appeals.
Margate continued to push for an equaliser, and substitute Louie Atkins looked to have won a penalty after being bundled over in the box. However, despite loud protests from players and fans alike, the referee again waved play on—booking TT Walters for dissent in the process.
The Gate threw everything forward in the closing stages but were ultimately left empty-handed, with the visitors taking all three points.
Margate will look to bounce back quickly, with a Kent Senior Cup tie at home to Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night before returning to league action away at Eastbourne Town next Saturday.
Line-Up:
Wray, Hatfull (Husthwaite 90’), Oke, Hudson, Garande, Peters, Blackman (Atkins 32’), Young, Greenhalgh, Haysman (Walsh 84’), Walters.
Substitutes Not Used:
Hobbs, Nkwocha.
Attendance: 401
