Folkestone Sizzle In Bank Holiday Derby
It was an afternoon to forget for Margate as they were comprehensively beaten by local rivals Folkestone Invicta in the Bank Holiday Monday derby.
It had been a bright start for the hosts who looked lively early on. Handed a place in the starting line-up, Alex Flisher caused the Folkestone defence a problem with his long throw-in, finding the head of Ben Fitchett whose effort went wide.
Flisher was involved in Margate’s next attacking move as a whipped in delivery found the path of Jack Paxman who appeared to be bundled over on his route to goal but despite the protestations, no penalty was awarded.
Folkestone showed flickers on their threat when Ter Horst broke down the left-hand side before cutting in to get a strike towards goal but failing to force Margate goalkeeper Kleton Perntreou into a save.
As both sides enjoyed equal amounts of pressure, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock with 36 minutes on the clock.
A corner delivery exposed the Margate defence, as an unmarked Newman rose highest to head the ball home.
With the goal advantage going into the second half, play-off hopefuls Folkestone turned up the attacking heat at a resplendent Hartsdown Park.
Defender O’Mara doubled Folkestones advantage, heading a pinpoint cross beyond the outstretched palm of Perntreou.
Margate showed glimpses of halfing the deficit, the best opportunity created by Noel Leighton who demonstrated great strength to shake off his marker before rattling both sides of the goal with his strike from an acute angle.
Folkestone added to their afternoon’s tally as Ter Horst turned his marker before firing a shot from the edge of the box into the back of the net.
In hot conditions, the Kent derby sizzled out with Folkestone earning a merited three points to assist their play-off ambitions.
Margate: Perntreou, Dymond, Mills, Fitchett (Collin), Swift, Friend ©, Paxman, Robins, Leighton, Sho Silva (Lovell), Flisher (Wratten)
Subs: Bignell, Ababio
Attendance: 644