Worthing (A) - 12th March 2022

Margate travel to The Crucial Environment Stadium on Saturday to face league leaders Worthing om the Isthmian Premier Division.

The hosts appear to have put two seasons of disappointment behind them, having been denied promotion due to COVID ending the season early, however now sit 13 points clear with just nine games to play this season.

Despite a shock Velocity Trophy exit to Haywards Heath in February, the ‘Rebels’ are on a long unbeaten run in the league which stretches to 12 games. They haven’t suffered defeat in the Isthmian league since a 2-1 defeat to Carshalton on the 3rd January.

Home form has of course contributed to Worthing’s incredible season and Margate will know their task will be even tougher as Worthing haven’t lost at home since November 2021 in the league when they suffered defeat to Cheshunt.

The Blues will take belief in the fact that they did beat the league leaders at Hartsdown Park in December as they ran out 4-2 winners at a freezing Hartsdown Park.

The ‘Gate did lose on their last visit to Worthing, going down 2-1 in December 2019. Their last victory on this ground came in September 2018 as a Joe Taylor header earned the Blues a 1-0 win.

Margate welcomed back goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card in the midweek win over Carshalton Athletic, however doubts remain over defenders Lewis Knight and Joe Anderson ahead of the game.

Margate will have to be wary of the league’s top goalscorer Oliver Pearce who has netted 31 times so far this season for the Sussex side.

Kick-off at the Crucial Environment Stadium is 3pm, but as always if you can’t be there then you can stay right up to date as the clubs official Twitter feed @margate_fc from 2:30pm.

Stadium address

The Crucial Environmental Stadium

Woodside Road

Worthing

West Sussex

BN14 7HQ

Ten Man Margate Fall To Defeat

Margate fell to their first defeat in all competitions for eleven games on Saturday as they were overcome 2-0 by Worthing, at The Crucial Environment Stadium in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Margate were still missing Joe Anderson and Lewis Knight and James Bessey-Saldanha, but were dealt a further blow just before kick-off as Harrison Hatfull fell ill, meaning 17-year-old George Lamb slotted in at right-back.

It was a quite opening 20 minutes with both sides finding their feet in the game in front of a huge crowd of 1400 in Sussex. It took almost 30 minutes for the first meaningful chance of the afternoon as the League’s top goalscorer Ollie Pearce flashed a header wide, as Worthing looked to impose their home advantage.

The hosts were beginning to up the ante as Jasper Pattenden saw a fierce half-volley saved well by Ben Bridle-Card as the game ticked towards half-time. The Blues did almost open the scoring six minutes before the break as a Ben Greenhalgh shot was fumbled, only for defender Patrick Webber to clear away and save his keepers blushes.

The second half started with the hosts dominating the possession and the chances as they wasted three big chances within the opening ten minutes of the second 45.

The Blues had Bridle-Card to thank for still being level, however it appeared Worthing were desperate to get in front, in order to extend their lead at the top of the Isthmian Premier Division.

Just before the hour Margate’s resistance broke as half-time substitute Dayshonne Golding headed home a cross to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Things turned even more sour for the ‘Gate as Captain Ben Swift was sent-off for his part in an altercation, and the Blues were down to ten men for the final 25 minutes.

Margate had to re-organise their back-line again with the red card, however they almost levelled in the 80th minute as Ben Greenhalgh forced his way forward, only to see his curling shot narrowly go wide.

Any chance of a Margate rescue mission was lost in the 85th minute as Ollie Pearce scored his 32nd goal of the season to put the game out of sight, and end Margate’s unbeaten run.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Lamb, Odaudu, Agyemang, Lema, Swift, Vaivada, Blackman, Feyi, Bola (Rutherford 75’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Kallmeier, Johnson, Prestedge

Attendance

1400