Billericay Fightback Denies The Gate

A hotly anticipated contest at Hartsdown Park delivered an entertaining encounter between play-off chasers Margate FC and table toppers Billericay Town.

Having taken the lead courtesy of Jay May, the visitors replied through Sam Deering and a Jake Robinson penalty sealed three points for the Essex side.

Alan Julian was called into action early on, when his punched clearance from a Sam Blackman shot fell into the path of Frannie Collin, The Gate striker producing a powerful shot that skirted wide.

The hosts came within inches of taking the lead when Jay May had his header cleared off the line.

The subsequent clearance fell nicely for left-back Tom Mills, who returning to the line up after suspension, nearly broke the deadlock from 30 yards out.

Billericay looked to create chances of their own and a neat passing move between Billy Bricknell and Deering saw the latter shoot wide from within the box.

Margate took the lead after Dave Martin skilfully navigated his way through a number of defenders to find May.

May clinically dispatched his shot leaving Julian with no chance and adding further atmosphere to a rocking Hartsdown. 

Margate appeared to have doubled their lead when another pinpoint delivery from Martin found Collin, who showed great composure to strike the ball into the bottom left corner.

The Gate’s celebrations were cut short when the linesman ruled an apparent offside, much to the dismay of the home team bench.

Billericay ruthlessly turned one of the game’s biggest talking points into an advantage, when moments later Deering equalised, rolling the ball home from yards out.

The home side had a golden opportunity at the start of the second half, when Martin found the head of top goalscorer, Jordan Chiedozie.

With the ball looking goal-bound, Julian pulled off a miraculous save to keep his side in it.

The save proved even more crucial when Billericay were awarded a penalty. Liam Friend making a last ditch tackle, took down his player too and Robinson was presented with the opportunity to put his team ahead.

Cool as you like, Billericay’s in-form man blasted the ball past keeper Lenny Pidgeley.

Margate could have equalised when another testing ball from out wide found May yards from goal. His header failed to hit the target leaving the hosts to rue another chance to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Billericay produced a composed and professional final 10 minutes to secure the victory and draw themselves three points to the league title.

Margate: Pidgeley, Wynter, Friend, Essuman, Mills, Martin, Rogers, Blackman, Collin, May, Chiedozie

Unused subs: Aristride, Evans, Sollis, Simpson, Warden

Attendance: 832

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