Margate continued their fine away form by earning another three points on the road as they overcome Broadbridge Heath 3-2 in West Sussex on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh brought Harrison Hatfull and Ibrahim Olutade back into the starting XI, whilst Joe Taylor, TT Walters and dual registered Ashdon Day were on the bench for the ‘Gate.
In a positive opening ten minutes, Margate saw Greenhalgh go close, before Sam Blackman almost forced a chance, however he couldn’t quite take control of the ball after some nice build up play from the ‘Gate.
Despite the positive start, the ‘Gate were dealt a sucker punch in the 13th minute as Zach Young fired a piledrive past Dino Kaiser from 25 yards to give the hosts a surprising 1-0 lead.
A lull of 25 minutes followed as Margate kept plenty of possession, and even forced nine corners, however without really threatening until the 34th minute when Kai Garande worked some space before feeding Kane Haysman who saw his fierce effort smack the base of the post as the ‘Gate tried to get level.
The leveller came three minutes before the break via a corner. Hatfull swung a low corner into the box where Lewis Knight was on hand to poke home and draw the game level.
Despite having plenty of possession and the better chances, there was still time for Margate to go in behind at the break as a free-kick was swung into the box and nodded home by Salvatore Marino to make it 2-1 at half time to the hosts.
After the break it looked initially as if the home side would try and extend their lead as Kaiser denied Young with a nice save, however from there it was pretty much all Margate as they dominated possession stats once again.
On the hour mark, Blackman saw his header somehow cleared off the line as Margate looked to ramp up their pressure an extra gear.
Five minutes later and they were level as a delightful cross from Garande was headed into the far corner by Olutade who netted his first goal in seven games.
With still 25 minutes to play it looked as if Margate were in the ascendency, Firstly TT Walters made an instant impact with his quick sprints down the wing, before Olutade worked the ball well to Haysman who this time saw his fierce effort fly narrowly over.
With nine minutes to play Margate were handed an extra advantage as Broadbridge striker Louie Evans was sent off for a second yellow card after showing dissent towards the referee.
Playing against ten almost made it more difficult as the hosts sat back happy to take a point, however Margate kept probing and earned all three points with two minutes left on the clock as a Greenhalgh cross was headed superbly back across the goal by Blackman and knocked in by Olutade who netted his 20th of the season to give the ‘Gate three points.
Frustratingly, Margate were reduced to ten men themselves in the dying moments as Emannuel Oke received a second yellow card for what the referee adjudged to be time wasting.
Margate are back on the road next weekend as they travel back too Sussex to face Hastings United.
Margate XI: Kaiser, Hatfull (Walters 70’), Oke, Knight, Hudson, Blackman, Olutade, Greenhalgh, Davey (Young 56’), Haysman, Garande
Subs not used: Taylor, Nkwocha, Day
Margate Goalscorer’s
Lewis Knight 42’
Ibrahim Olutade 65’, 88’
Attendance
147
