Margate recorded a superb 3-1 away win at AFC Croydon Athletic thanks to a debut double from new signing Elliott Duncan on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues welcomed Perri Iandolo back into the starting XI, whilst Finn O’Mara, Javaun Splatt and Olu Oluwatimilehin were back on the bench and ready to be called upon.
Frustratingly for the ‘Gate they had to call on O’Mara just 10 minutes into the game as Jake McIntyre pulled up and limped off.
In a rather dull opening twenty minutes, it was new signing Duncan who created the main chance as he slid in Bradley Schafer with a clever free-kick, however his effort was slammed just wide.
Another quiet period followed with not much happening until the 39th minute when Stanley Oldfield looked to wriggle away and get a shot off, which drifted wide but was almost pounced on by Hassan Nalbant who couldn’t quite connect.
Margate took the lead one minute before the break as Schafer showed incredible pace to get down the right before pulling the ball across to Duncan who poked home his first Margate goal.
Margate started the second half much the same as Oldfield was released by Nalbant, however the young striker couldn’t get the ball out from under his feet as the chance passed by.
Four minutes later the host were level with a tremendous goal as Brandon Pierrick cut in from the right and curled a wonderful effort past Harry Seaden.
The game was level for just 90 seconds as a ball into the box was headed across the box before falling to Duncan who slammed home his and Margate’s second to restore the Blues lead.
Two minutes later the hosts should have levelled as some quick passing released a chance which was goal bound only for Seaden to make a fantastic save.
Croydon were on top and making Margate drop deeper, however they were resolute as O’Mara superbly headed one off the line to preserve their lead.
With ten minutes left Margate should have secured the three points as Ryan Huke raced clear, but he chose to try and round Amadou Tangara who somehow smothered the ball.
With five minutes left, Splatt added a third but after the celebrations died down the referee awarded a free-kick to Croydon for an alleged foul on the keeper, a decision that surprised everyone in the stadium.
The Blues weren’t to be denied though and they arguably saved their best for last as Schafer collected the ball 40 yards out, raced forward ten yards before spotting Tangara off his line, and chipping the keeper to give Margate a 3-1 win.
Margate XI: Seaden, Hamill, Adewoju, Iandolo (Oluwatimilehin 67’), Schafer, Oldfield (Huke 76’), Duncan (Splatt 83’), Tyrie, McIntyre (O’Mara 9’), Nalbant (Caney-Bryan 71’), Sithole
Margate Goal scorer’s
Elliott Duncan 44’, 65’
Bradley Schafer 90‘
Attendance
188
