Margate produced a stunning performance on Saturday afternoon at Hartsdown Park as they bulldozed Beckenham Town 7-2 in Autumnal conditions on the Kent Coast.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh was able to welcome back Ronnie Vint, however still missed several key players as the ‘Gate named a youthful side against struggling Beckenham.
Despite an even opening ten minutes, Margate sprung into life soon after and never looked back as they treated those in Hartsdown Park to a feast of goals.
The first of the ‘Gate’s seven arrived in the 11th minute as a superb Greenhalgh free-kick from 30 yards was superbly saved, only for the rebound to fall to Kane Haysman who made no mistake to poke the ball home.
Within 60 seconds the Blues had the chance to double their lead as TT Walters was brought down in the box, only for Ibrahim Olutade to see his penalty kick saved.
Two minutes after his miss, Olutade raced through and saw his fine chipped effort go narrowly over the bar as Margate looked to go early at their opposition. In the 19th minute Greenhalgh and Haysman again linked up superbly as Greenhalgh’s superb deep cross was headed home by Haysman as the ‘Gate took control.
Just four minutes later and the home side were awarded their second penalty as again TT Walters showed great pace before being bundled over, leaving the referee only one option but to award the second spot kick of the afternoon. This time it was the gaffer who stepped up and he struck a sweet effort down the centre of the goal to make it 3-0 after 24 minutes.
For those that thought the home side might take their foot off the gas, they were soon to be mistaken as Margate made it 4-0 on the 30 minute mark. Again, TT Walters showed electric pace, racing clear down the right before squaring to Olutade who couldn’t miss as he tapped home a fourth to mark an incredible opening 30 minutes for the ‘Gate.
Beckenham seemed to compose themselves and denied a rampant Margate any more first half chances, and indeed got themselves a goal on the stroke of half-time as the ‘Gate failed to deal with a corner which was eventually bundled home.
Leading 4-1 at the break, Margate had no intent on slowing down and started the second half in as equally quick fashion as they had the first, and they made it 5-1 in the 54th minute after being awarded their third penalty of the afternoon as an incoming shot was handled in the box. Haysman stepped up and made no mistake to earn him a hat-trick.
With the game well and truly secured, Margate made some substitutes as they looked to manage the game out, they were briefly interrupted on the 78th minute as Shaquille Gordon let fly to make it 5-2, however the ‘Gate were not done for the afternoon.
Just three minutes later, the sensational Haysman bagged his fourth of the afternoon and Margate’s sixth as the ball fell to him in the box before he let fly on the half volley to make it 6-2.
Heading into five minutes additional time there was still time for Kieron Agbebi to join the scoring party as he showed real pace before driving a low shot goalwards which hit the back of the net and completed the ‘Gate’s huge 7-2 win in an afternoon of spook-tacular football.
Margate XI: Hobbs, Hatfull (Nkwocha 83’), Oke, Walsh (Peters 67’), Vint, Walters (Kpaka 82’), Olutade (Agbebi 72’), Greenhalgh, Haysman, Young, Garande
Subs not used: Wray
Margate Goalscorers
Haysman 11’, 19’, 53’, 81’
Greenhalgh 24’
Olutade 30’
Agbebi 90‘
Attendance
413
