Margate and Crowborough Athletic played out an entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon as the points were shared at the Charles Century Community Stadium.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh handed new signing Harry Lawrence his debut at right-back ahead of Harrison Hatfull, whilst captain Harry Hudson returned to the starting XI after serving his suspension in last weeks 7-2 win over Beckenham Town.
The ’Gate started well and on the front foot, and it was the lively TT Walters who had the first effort of the afternoon which was well tipped wide by the home keeper after six minutes.
Greenhalgh went close on 12 minutes as his free-kick from 18 yards out on the corner of the box whistled just wide, however the ‘Gate were ahead two minutes later as the gaffer curled a sublime finish into the top corner from 25 yards out to give the visitors a deserved lead.
The visitors looked like they were in the mood for it once again as Kai Garande saw a sweeping move end with his fierce strike well blocked, before Greenhalgh almost doubled his tally on 23 minutes as he collected the ball from Kane Haysman, only for the home keeper again to beat it away to safety.
Rather against the run of play Crowborough drew themselves level on 33 minutes as a long ball forward caused some problems in the back-line which was pounced upon before the ball was rolled to Marcus Goldsmith who reversed a shot into the corner past the outstretched hands of Reece Hobbs in goal.
The hosts then had a spell of seven or eight minutes of good possession without causing to many issues for the ‘Gate, but one minute before the break Margate could have retook the lead as TT found Greenhalgh who steadied himself before seeing his effort narrowly go wide of the post.
For all their impressive play in the first half, Margate found themselves 2-1 down just 90 seconds into the second half as a corner from Harry Forster evaded everyone and nestled in the far corner to give the home side the lead.
Hobbs was then called into action to superbly deny Goldsmith as he raced through and five minutes later he was at it again as the ‘Gate looked like wasting all their first half efforts. The introduction of Kieron Agbebi on the hour mark seemed to spur more life into the ‘Gate and they almost hit back immediately.
It was Greenhalgh in the centre of it all as he played a wonderful ball into Ibrahim Olutade who saw his first effort incredibly blocked on the line before then skewing the rebound narrowly wide as Margate were left wondering how they were not level.
There was plenty of huffing and puffing from the ‘Gate as they kept pushing forward with possession in and around the box however they were unable force anything meaningful.
That was until the 86th minute when the gaffer once again rose to the top as he superbly cut in from the right on his left foot before curling a sensational effort into the top corner to level the scores once again.
It looked like there would only be one winner when five minutes were added on and the ‘Gate forced another glorious opportunity two minutes into stoppage time as Agbebi raced down the right before delivering a pinpoint cross to Olutade, however it just bounced in front of the striker who skied his effort over the bar from six yards out.
The ’Gate had to settle for another point, their seventh draw of the season so far. They return to action next Saturday at home to Broadbridge Heath with kick-off at 3pm
Margate XI: Hobbs, Oke, Walsh, Lawrence, Hudson, Walters (Agbebi 60’), Olutade, Greenhalgh, Haysman, Young (Peters 71’), Garande
Subs not used: Kpake, Nkwocha, Hatfull
Margate Goalscorers
Ben Greenhalgh 14’
Ben Greenhalgh 86’
Attendance
332
