Margate’s miserable December continued on Saturday afternoon as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat to play-off chasing Merstham at Hartsdown Park.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh welcomed Tom Wray, Lewis Knight and Henry Young into the starting XI, whilst Tom Derry continued his return to fitness with another place on the subs bench.
In an otherwise even start, the ‘Gate felt they should have had a penalty in the 7th minute as the ball was fed into Young who nipped ahead of a defender and was tripped, however to the bemusement of the home sides players and fans, the referee ignored the calls for an early spot-kick.
TT Walters and Greenhalgh were combining well and it was the latter who had a shot from 20 yards which went just wide as Margate looked for an early advantage.
A quiet period followed before the visitors started to find some rhythm as Lee Lewis forced an effort goalwards which Wray tipped onto the post as Merstham demonstrated their danger.
Moments later Paris Hamilton-Downes rose highest from a corner which was tipped over by Wray as the visitors started to ramp up the pressure. The home side weren’t to be undone though as Greenhalgh fired another effort goalwards shortly before Young was denied by a smart save as both sides went in search of the opening goal.
Two minutes after the Young chance, Merstham took the lead as they broke down the right before squaring the ball to Lee in the middle of the 18 yard box and he dispatched a fierce shot past Wray to give the away side a lead which in truth seemed harsh on the ‘Gate.
For all the frustration to falling behind, the Blues started the second half well and looking like they could get back into the game, however they were dealt a sucker punch just four minutes into the second half when a free-kick was awarded to the visitors. Lee stepped up and doubled his tally for the afternoon as he fired past Wray to give the ‘Gate another mountain to climb.
Margate were straight back at their visitors with Young again seeing an opportunity saved, before from the resulting corner Lewis Knight saw a header clawed off the line as it looked to be another one of those days for the Blues.
Sadly for the Blues fans that was about as lively as the second half got with the visitors executing the perfect match management plan and restricting Margate to very few shots or crosses as the ‘Gate stumbled to a third straight loss which leaves them nine points outside the play-off places.
Margate return to action after Christmas as they make the short trip down the Thanet Way to face Herne Bay, with kick-off at 3pm.
Margate XI: Wray, Lawrence (Walsh 80’), Oke, Knight (Derry 66’), Hudson, Walters (Nkwocha 74’), Olutade (Agbebi 83’), Greenhalgh, Haysman, Young, Garande
Subs not used: Peters
Attendance
350
