Cheshunt FC (A) - 28.8.21

Margate travel to Theobolds Lane to face Cheshunt FC on Saturday as they look to maintain their unbeaten start in the Isthmian Premier Division.

The ‘Gate remain the only side in the Isthmian Premier to yet concede a goal after an opening day 1-0 win at Wingate & Finchley was followed up with a 0-0 draw against Carshalton Athletic.

The Ambers have had an equally as good start to the league campaign after a comprehensive 3-0 win over East Thurrock on the opening day, followed by an exciting 2-2 draw against Lewes, where the visitors hit back twice from behind.

In the very early league standings these two sides sit side by side with Cheshunt in 5th and Margate in 6th with both sides on four points.

Recent meetings, as much as Covid-19 allowed sees both sides with one win a piece. Margate won at Theobolds Lane in 2019 thanks to a late Kadell Daniels winner, while last year this game was streamed live by ‘Gate TV at Hartsdown Park due to Covid Restrictions, however it was the visitors on the night that took the points with a 2-0 win.

Kick off at Theobolds Lane is scheduled for 3pm.

Ground Address

Theobolds Lane

Cheshunt

Hertfordshire

EN8 8RU

Blues Extend Unbeaten Run

Margate extended their unbeaten start in the Isthmian Premier Division to three games with a 1-1 draw against Cheshunt FC on Saturday afternoon at Theobolds Lane.

In overcast conditions in Hertfordshire, Margate Manager Jay Saunders switched things up with Mo Kamara replacing Chris Sessegnon at right back due to injury, whilst Jake Embery played just ahead of Vance Bola in the ‘Gate’s attacking line.

It was an even start to the game with few chances created until Bola pounced upon a poor back pass by Chevron McLean before calmly slotting past Charlie Taylor in the home sides goal to give the ‘Gate a 15th minute lead.

Margate looked to hammer home their advantage a few moments later as Embery, who was linking up well with Bola, broke free into the area before checking back and seeing his low effort superbly blocked by a last ditch bit of defending by the hosts.

It took the home side 29 minutes to carve out their first chance and it resulted in them levelling as a low Reece Beckles-Richards shot took a wicked deflection off the outstretched leg of Lewis Knight, leaving Pat Ohman no chance as he conceded his first competitive goal in a Margate shirt.

There was no doubt that the Cheshunt goal scorer was their biggest threat down the left hand side as his low shot just before the break whistled inches wide of the post.

It was Beckles-Richards again who saw an early shot in the second half saved well by Ohman before in the 61st minute Sam Blackman seemed to be upended in the box after racing through, however the referee disagreed and no penalty was forthcoming.

It remained level in terms of score and chances created even if the hosts were seeing more possession, however with ten minutes to go the visitors thought they had won it as Blackman at the far post nodded home but as he wheeled away in celebration the linesman’s flag was raised and Margate were left ruing a tight call that would have seen them leave with all three points.

The Blues are back in action on Bank Holiday Monday as they welcome Cray Wanderers to Hartsdown Park with kick off scheduled for 3pm.

Margate: Ohman, Kamara, Anderson, Agyemang, Knight, Swift, Palmer (Richards 84’), Blackman, Embery (Thompson 59’), Bola (Bessey-Saldanha 71’), Greenhalgh

Subs Not Used: Prestedge, Lamb

Goal scorers

Bola 15’

Attendance

285

Man of the Match

Ben Swift