Margate dominated from start to finish on Saturday afternoon as they made it six wins in a row in the Isthmian South-East with a brilliant 2-0 away win at 3rd placed AFC Whyteleafe.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh, making his 250th appearance for the Club also brought Kane Haysman back into the starting XI as the ‘Gate continued to attempt to hunt down a play-off place.
With the hosts having won eight in a row themselves, Margate would have expected a much sterner test, however they dominated from the start and should have been ahead in the 13th minute as some nice play saw the ball worked out to TT Walters whose fierce strike was cleared off the line and onto the post, as Margate started like a steam train.
A minute later Walters struck a delightful effort from 20-yards out on the half-volley which was well claimed, before Greenhalgh then plucked one out the sky and saw his long range effort saved.
In the 29th minute the ‘Gate’s persistence paid off, however they were given a helping hand from the hosts as a wild back pass to the keeper was only cleared to Ibrahim Olutade who raced through, kept his composure and fired Margate into a well deserved lead.
TT Walters rolled a ball across the six yard box but there was no one there to convert moments before Greenhalgh headed a ball inches wide of the post as Margate kept their attacking intent up and looked to extend their lead further.
Five minutes before the break Margate had doubled their lead as Kai Garande cut in from the left and struck a sweet low effort into the far corner to make it 2-0. An impressive goal was rounded off with an impressive celebration as he backflipped his way to the corner to celebrate with the travelling ‘Gate fans.
Having dominated the first 45 minutes, Margate might have expected the hosts to come charging out at them, however the second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Margate dominated.
Ten minutes into the second half, Greenhalgh almost grabbed a goal as one of his trademark free-kick whistled past the post from 20-yards out.
In the 64th minute some more nice play from the visitors saw Greenhalgh and Garande link up down the left before Greenhalgh sent in a wonderful cross to Olutade who diverted his header just wide as Margate continued to purr in the Surrey sunshine.
Harry Hudson, marshalling the defence superbly once again dealt with anything that the hosts did throw Margate’s way, and he superbly blocked an effort with twenty minutes remaining.
Margate did have the ball in the net once more before the full time whistle, however the referee had already awarded a soft foul as Greenhalgh raced through, however the official pulled it back and brandished a yellow card in the gaffer’s direction after he had troubled himself to put the ball in the net.
Margate were superb and fully deserved a sixth straight win in the league, and will be hoping to make it seven in a row when they welcome Kent rivals Herne Bay on Easter Monday at Hartsdown Park with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
Margate XI: Kaiser, Oke, Knight, Hudson, Walters (Hatfull 83’), Blackman, Olutade (Derry 88’), Greenhalgh, Davey, Haysman (Young 79’), Garande
Subs not used: Nkwocha, Hoxha
Margate Goalscorer’s
Ibrahim Olutade 29’
Kai Garande 40’
Attendance
476
