Blues Held By Tonbridge In Enthralling Hartsdown Opener

There were chances galore but neither side could make the breakthrough, as Margate completed their second consecutive clean sheet of the season.

Tonbridge did have the ball in the back of the net inside the first ten minutes, as Craig Stone fired home, only to see the offside flag raised.

The Blues hit straight back with a chance of their own as Dave Martin, Margate’s most dangerous player on the night, struck a vicious shot just wide of the target.

Moments later, Tom Wynter came one closer as his powerful header beat Jonathan Henly but cannoned off the crossbar.

Dave Martin again came close for the hosts when he picked up the ball down the left side and shot powerfully at Henly, with the Angels keeper palming his effort clear.

George Beavan had two chances in quick succession for the visitors as he charged down a clearance, that was comfortable saved by Margate stopper Lenny Pidgeley, before he flashed a header just wide of the target from a corner.

The second forty-five was a tighter affair, with several dangerous balls flying into both boxes but no efforts came until midway through the half.

The lively Martin continued to cause Tonbridge problems, as he slammed a shot a couple of yards wide of the target from range.

Substitute Matt Bodkin then saw a tremendous effort on the volley curl the wrong side of the post as he shot from 20 yards.

Margate came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock in injury time as Bodkin laid the ball back to Jack Evans on the edge of the box, but the midfielder’s effort skimmed inches past the post.

Margate: Pidgeley, Sessegnon, Mills, Rogers, Friend, Wynter, Smith (Bodkin 63), Evans, Prescott (Sollis 74), Collin, Martin. Subs not used: Swift, Stannard, Brown.

Attendance: 632

?Man of the Match: Dave Martin

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