Blues Dispatch Deal In Friendly

Our first midweek evening fixture saw the Gate ease to a 4-0 win against a spirit Deal Town.

Manager Jay Saunders opted for a mix of youth and experience in his starting eleven as the likes of Harrison Hatfull, James Jeffrey and Lekan Majoyegbe were joined by Chris Sessegnon and Kadell Daniel with Ben Swift once again skippering the side.

A lively start saw the visitors threaten first as Dave Pilcher was sent through on goal and would have scored had it not been for a brilliant save by Gate keeper Jonathan Miles. 4 minutes later the Gate were ahead as a Ramaden through ball released James Jeffrey who calmly slotted home his second goal of pre-season.

One -nil quickly became two as another Gate player scored their second pre-season goal; Noel Leighton tapping home from a Sessegnon cross after more good work from winger Adem Ramaden. Despite the early breakthrough Deal Town continued to threaten and had several half chances as the game went on.

In the 29th minute Kadell Daniel tricked his way into a shooting position and finished calmly into the far corner, 3-0 to the Gate. The remaining 15 minutes saw possession surrendered by both teams and no more clear-cut chances, and the referee brought the half to a close without any additional time.

The second half started with Dan Johnson replacing Ben Swift and taking over the armband, the Gate didn’t take long to notch a 4th goal as in the 51st minute Adem Ramadan scored with a fierce shot from the centre of the box.

Jay then made several changes as Jordy Robins, Jordan Ababio, Michael Abnett and Jack Richards replaced Noel Leighton, Chris Sessegon, Lekan Majoyegbe and Adem Ramadan.

Although there were no more goals, the Gate continued to threaten: first Jordy Robins hit the post with a long-range effort before Kadell bamboozled his marker and curled an effort just over the cross bar. The final action saw Deal head over the bar from a corner before the referee blew his whistle. A second successive clean sheet and 4 goals to boot.

Margate: Miles, Hattful, Sessegnon, Wilkins, Swift©, Majoyegbe, Daniel, Head, Leighton, Jeffrey, Ramadan

Subs: Hollaway, Johnson, Ababio, Robins, Richards, Abnett

Scorers: James Jeffrey, Noel Leighton, Kadell Daniel, Adem Ramadan.