Margate made it back to back wins in the league, and recorded their first home win in five games with a professional 2-0 win over Sheppey United on Saturday.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh handed new goalkeeper Dino Kaiser his debut after joining from Fulham U21’s on Friday in the Blues only change from last weekend’s 2-1 win at Croydon Athletic.
Sheppey had the ball in the net within two minutes, however a handball and offside leading up to the goal meant the Blues survived the early scare.
Kaiser was called into action soon after as he made a superb save at point bank from a Sheppey chance at the back post.
Ibrahim Olutade saw two efforts superbly saved as the ‘Gate started turning the screw on their visitors. However in the 22nd minute Kaiser was again called into action as he brilliantly denied a Lambert effort to keep the scores level.
With ten minutes to go until the break, Margate were forced into a double change through injuries as TT Walters and Ronnie Vint limped off, replaced by Yaser Kasim and Harrison Hatfull.
Margate took the lead just five minutes before the break as Sam Blackman arrived at the back post to head home a Greenhalgh corner to give the Blues a 1-0 lead at the break.
Margate started the second half in control with Olutade seeing an effort well saved, before a Greenhalgh free-kick flew narrowly over as the ‘Gate went in search of a second goal.
It was soon to arrive as Kai Garande fed the ball to Greenhalgh who skipped past two before firing a delightful effort into the net to double the ‘Gate’s advantage and seal the three points.
The visitors once again saw the ball in the net, however the flag was raised well before it crossed the line for offside as Margate saw the final ten minutes out relatively comfortably, in fact they almost added a third when Greenhalgh swung a deep cross in which was clawed away from the keeper under the bar to keep the score at 2-0.
Margate return to action next Saturday at Hartsdown Park as they welcome local rivals Deal Town to CT9.
Margate XI: Kaiser, Oke, Hudson, Walters (Kasim 35’), Blackman, Olutade, Taylor, Greenhalgh, Haysman (Young 87’), Garande, Vint (Hatfull 35’)
Subs not used: Knight, Walsh
Margate Goalscorer’s
Sam Blackman 40’
Ben Greenhalgh 63’
Attendance
377
