Margate rounded off the month of March with another three points as they made it five wins in a row in the Isthmian South-East on Saturday afternoon against Hassocks.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh reverted back to his side that beat Three Bridges as Ronnie Vint, TT Walters and Kane Haysman dropped out the side in place of Harrison Hatfull, Lewis Knight and Brandon Davey from the win at Beckenham Town.
It was a dominant opening to the match from the Blues as they looked to attack from the beginning with Kai Garande racing down the left hand side. On his return to the side Hatfull was almost set free by Sam Blackman, however the full back couldn’t quite get to the ball ahead of the Hassocks keeper as Margate continued their early domination.
Henry Young was then unlucky to not fire the ‘Gate ahead as his 25 yard pile driver smacked the post, before Ibrahim Olutade was set free, however his shot went narrowly wide of the post as Margate remained in complete control.
In the 26th minute the Blues dominance paid off as once again a long range effort from Greenhalgh nestled in the net to give Margate a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
The horrendous downpour that followed wasn’t going to hold Margate up as Olutade saw another shot saved, before Garande joined the action once more and saw his effort well saved as Margate wondered how it remained only 1-0.
Hassocks ventured forward just before the break, however Dino Kaiser, in search of his fourth clean sheet in a row easily dealt with anything thrown at him as Margate went in at the break with a 1-0 advantage.
The second half started much the same as Greenhalgh broke away quickly before squaring the ball to Hatfull who just missed as Margate started on the front foot once again. A trademark free kick from Greenhalgh went just wide as Margate continued to try and grab that second goal which would secure the three points.
Hassocks around the hour mark started enjoying some possession and looked like they could find a way back into the game, however some excellent defending from Margate, marshalled by the excellent Harry Hudson kept the visitors at an arm’s length.
With five minutes remaining and some nerves creeping in around Hartsdown Park, Margate secured all three points as a brilliant long ball forward from Emmanuel Oke was raced onto by Greenhalgh who doubled his and Margate’s goals to secure a fifth straight win for the Blues and keep their feint play-off hopes alive.
Margate XI: Kaiser, Hatfull (Walters 88’), Oke, Young (Haysman 69’), Knight, Hudson, Blackman (Hoxha 90’), Olutade (Derry 89’), Greenhalgh, Davey, Garande (Nkwocha 90’)
Margate Goalscorer’s
Ben Greenhalgh 26’
Ben Greenhalgh 85’
Attendance
461
