Margate left East Sussex on Saturday after playing out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Crowborough Athletic.
As the second of two storms in two days battered the UK, much credit must go to the hosts for getting the game on, and for the neutrals it had everything, for the two sets of supporters it was an emotional rollercoaster.
With Finn O’Mara, David Adewoju, Stanley Oldfield, Jake McIntyre and Lewis Chambers all missing, the Blues named a much changed eleven from Tuesday night’s win over Sheppey United.
The Blues however started brightly and should have been ahead in the 6th minute as Elliott Duncan set Hassan Nalbant clear, however after rounding the keeper he steadied to shoot, allowing a defender to get back and clear off the line.
Five minutes later and the Blues were behind as a 35-yard free-kick from Harry Forster flew straight into the corner of the net, leaving Harry Seaden no chance.
Forster looked lively as he saw another effort from 35 yards whistle narrowly over the bar. A minute later he had his and the hosts second as a free-kick from 30 yards was struck with venom which deflected past Seaden to make it 2-0 in 23 minutes.
Seaden was again called into action to deny Forster as Margate were on the ropes in the opening 30 minutes with Forster looking electric.
With ten minutes to go until the break the Blues got themselves back in it as Joe Tyrie headed home a cross from the right to reduce the arrears.
Six minute’s later and the ‘Gate were level as Ronald Sithole saw his long range effort parried to Duncan who swept up and levelled the scores all before we had even reached half-time.
The rain would have given the players time to dry out just a little, but the storm seemed to have parked over East Sussex as the rain got harder and the wind stronger.
Margate were forced into a half-time change as Johan Caney-Bryan replaced Connor Wilkins.
The Blues had George Nunn to thank for still being level as he cleared an early effort off the line, which was a huge moment as a minute later the ‘Gate had broken away as Caney-Bryan bullied his way through before Duncan swept home to make it 3-2 and turn the game on its head.
From that point on it felt like it was all Crowborough as Seaden again made a huge save in the 64th minute with a srong hand keeping out a certain goal.
In the 71st minute Margate’s task was made even tougher as Will Thomas was shown a straight red card after he cleared the ball and slipped on the wet pitch, colliding with a Crowborough player which caused the referee to brandish a red card.
Despite their heroic defending the ‘Gate couldn’t hold on as a low shot from Finley Chapman hit the post and rebounded off the leg of Richie Hamill into his own net to make it 3-3.
Nalbant saw a quick breakaway curling effort well saved in the 87th minute before the games most outstanding moment as a fierce effort from 25 yards from the hosts flew towards the top corner, only for Seaden to make the most incredible fingertip save onto the crossbar which effectively earned Margate a point that both sides deserved.
Margate XI: Seaden, Hamill, Thomas, Nunn, Nalbant (Iandolo 90’), Schafer, Duncan, Tyrie, Wilkins (Caney-Bryan 45’), Sithole, Oluwatimilehin (Mbogba 74’)
Subs not used: Dalton, Huke
Margate Goalscorer’s
Joe Tyrie 35’
Elliott Duncan 41’
Elliott Duncan 52’
Attendance
183
