Margate put in a professional display as they overcome high flying AFC Croydon Athletic at The Mayfield Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh rung the changes ahead of the game with Ronnie Vint, Sam Blackman and Joe Taylor starting in place of Lewis Knight, Max Walsh and Harrison Hatfull.
After an even opening 15 minutes, the game spung into life in the 18th minute as the hosts were dramatically reduced to ten men as Harvey Kedwell was shown a straight red card for an elbow to Taylor.
With a man advantage the ‘Gate ramped up the pressure as they created some chances which were only prevented by some superb defending from the hosts to keep Margate at bay.
After a scrappy period pf play which saw TT Walters and Sam Backman go into the book, the visitors should have gone ahead, only for a brilliant goal line clearance from an Ibrahim Olutade effort denying the ‘Gate once more.
Despite the man advantage and plenty of opportunities, the two sides went in at half-time level, however the Blues certainly looked in control of proceedings.
It didn’t take long into the second half for the Blues to edge ahead as a superb strike from TT Walters nestled into the net to give Margate a deserved lead.
With the lead and a man extra, the Blues looked in full control and they doubled their lead just past the hour mark as Walters again fired home to give daylight between the two sides.
Key substitutions slowed the game down and the ‘Gate looked to be strolling to three points until the 87th minute when the hosts halved the deficit.
A Luke Dreher effort trickled in past Batt to give the hosts hope heading into seven minutes added time. Margate showed resilience and shut out any late charge as they secured another three points on the road, extending their unbeaten away run to four games.
Margate XI: Batt, Oke, Hudson, Walters (Kasim 76’), Olutade, Taylor, Greenhalgh, Haysman (Walsh 85’), Garande, Blackman (Young 76’), Vint (Hatfull 65’)
Subs not used: Knight
Margate Goalscorer’s
TT Walters 50’, 63’
Attendance
217
