Margate Triumph Against League Leaders

By Tom Morris

Margate travelled to Horsham on Saturday and put the hosts to the sword winning 3-0 in front of a record attendance with goals form Noel Leighton, loanee Kieran Monlouis and Adem Ramadan.

Our hosts started the brighter and winger Rob O’Toole drove into the ‘Gate penalty area forced a good save from Tupper, minuets later Kadell Daniel went on a mazy run of his own but dragged his shot wide of the goal. The Gate settled quickly and started to dominate possession, on 17 minutes a neat passing move resulted in Prestedge having his fierce drive saved by the Bentley in the Horsham goal.  

The telling action of the half came in the 35th minute as after a succession of ‘Gate corners Horsham failed to clear, the ball fell to Noel Leighton 12 yards out and he slotted the ball home calmly to register his 5th league and 8th goal of the season. Horsham nearly had themselves an equaliser on the stroke of half-time, but Joe Tupper made a superb save to deny Kieran Pamment from a direct freekick. Half-time Margate 1 -0 Horsham. 

The second half started with a period of pressure from Horsham, Tupper was again at his best to stop Chris Smith who got to a cross in the centre of the box. As half chances came and went for both sides it was Margate and Kieran Monlouis who delivered the telling blow. Being allowed the freedom of the park to run towards goal Monlouis let fly from 25 yards and watched as Bentley palmed his effort into the back of the net instead of making what looked to be a routine save. 2-0 Margate and still half an hour to play.

4 minutes later the game was over as a contest as Kadell Daniel picked up the ball and moved towards goal, putting the keeper on the floor and passing to Reeves; his shot was blocked but the ball fell kindly to Adem Ramadan to fire in the rebound. Few would have predicted the ‘Gate being 3-0 up at the league leaders Horsham after 65 minutes. Saunders made a flurry of changes as Richards and Stewart replaced Daniel and Reeves as Margate looked to see out the contest and take home 3 valuable points.

One final change saw Oyenuga replace goal scorer Leighton with a couple of minutes to go, Horsham failed to create anymore chances of notes and the travelling fans cheered in delight as the final whistle blew and Margate secured 3 vital points against table toppers Horsham.

Margate: Tupper, Abnett, Sessegnon, Prestedge ©, Johnson, Porter, Ramadan, Monlouis, Reeves (Stewart 80”), Leighton (Oyenuga 90”), Daniel (Richards 79”)

Subs: Holloway, Hatfull

Margate are next in action away at Worthing on Saturday 7th December before a ten day break when Carshalton visit HDP on December 17th in the Velocity Cup.

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