Margate Progress In Velocity Trophy After East Grinstead Win

Manager Steve Watt named a mixed starting eleven made up of first teamers and Development squad players and it was enough to overcome East Grinstead who battled throughout the whole 90 minutes and pushed Margate the whole way.

The Blues started very well and could have been ahead after just 11 minutes as Henry Ikejie pounced on a wayward kick by Jack Wingate in the visitor’s goal only for the youngster to lift his effort wide of the far post.

Margate went even closer to taking the lead in the 15th minute as Frannie Collin saw his in-swinging free kick cannon off the bar and away to safety as Margate looked to take an early lead.

The home side continued to charge forward in search of the opening goal as Liam Friend came within inches of his second Margate goal as his header rebounded off the post to fall into the hands of Wingate in the East Grinstead goal.

Margate did get the goal they deserved in the 35th minute as the impressive Ikejie was hauled down leaving Referee Peter Cruise no option but to award Margate a penalty. The prolific Collin rolled home from 12 yards for his 5th goal of the season to give the Gate the lead.

Despite all their hard work Margate went in to the break level as the visitors equalised in the 45th minute after a mazy run down the right was squared for Marcus Elliott who made no mistake from 10 yards to fire home past Stan Waller.

Margate started the second half quickly looking to regain their lead quickly and they should have been ahead after just five minutes of the second half as Harry Stannard missed a glorious opportunity skewing his effort wide of the post.

Stannard made up for his earlier effort moments later as he stroked home a Frannie Collin cross to restore Margate’s lead in the 61st minute.

Margate could have gone further ahead with Friend seeing another fine header well saved by Wingate before Ikeije saw another effort palmed away by the young East Grinstead goalkeeper.

Victory for Margate puts them into the second round of the competition and they now prepare to face Harrow Borough at Hartsdown Park on Saturday in the Bostik Premier.

MARGATE: Waller, Killick, Bray (Smith 61’), Rogers, Friend, Swift, Ikeije, Prescott, Stannard (O’Halloran 82’), Collin (Martin 71’), Mills

Subs Not Used: Conteh, Sessegnon

Man of the Match: Henry Ikeije

Attendance: 196 

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