Margate's Unbeaten Run Comes To An End

Margate’s outstanding eleven game unbeaten run in the Bostik League came to an end against a resurgent Needham Market on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from striking duo Jordan Chiedozie and Jay May were not enough to grant The Gate any points, as a debatable penalty proved to be the difference as the hosts secured a 3-2 victory.

Margate made an electric start and had a strong penalty shout of their own in the very first minute. Chiedozie with a threatening run towards goal, was thwarted by a clumsy-looking challenge which was deemed a fair one, and Collin’s follow up added pressure to win the visitors an early corner.

The opening 20 minutes were an even affair with both teams looking to ask questions of their counterparts in search of the game’s opening goal.

The Gate’s defence dealt well with any initial threat, reducing Needham Market to limited chances on goal. A volleyed effort the only notable concern but one that flew over goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley’s goal.

With clear cut chances limited, it was a set piece that broke the deadline towards the end of the first half.

A short corner played into the Margate box, hung around the six-yard box with Jamie Griffiths getting the clinical touch to poke the ball home to give Needham the lead.

The Gate responded well and managed to grab an equaliser before the half concluded. Aaron Simpson, playing in a more attacking role down the left-hand side, showed great determination and composure to tee up Chiedozie.

Margate’s top-scorer, positioned in the right position at the right time, tapped the ball home to make it honours even at the break.

Manager Steve Watt made a change for the second half, introducing May in place of Tom Mills who made his first start for Margate in two months.

The contest remained finely poised and with the travelling fans making plenty of noise, The Gate searched for opportunities to take the lead.

Needham won a handful of free-kicks in threatening positions but Margate were able to steer the danger away and had an opportunity of their own when Dave Martin whipped in a delightful ball but was seen all the way by the host’s keeper.

It was Needham who took the lead when a cross field, diagonal ball was pulled back for a simple tap in for Griffiths to nab a brace.

Chiedozie and Martin won The Gate opportunities to test Needham Market with set pieces of their own but couldn’t quite carve open an equaliser.

The hosts then extended their lead when Matt Bodkin was adjudged to have shoved his opponent. Any contact looked minimal to the Margate team whose protests were heard in vain as Daniel Morphew cooly converted the late spot-kick.

Five minutes later, The Gate pulled one back. May showing great skill to get the ball from underneath his feet to place into the bottom left corner.

Needham could have made it four when a one v one presented itself on the counter attack. Pidgeley doing superbly to pressurise and enforce the shot to fire over.

The full-time whistle blew at Bloomsfield, leaving The Gate going home empty handed.

A performance not without endeavour but lacking Margate’s recent superb quality. The defeat didn’t move The Blues from second place, as attention now turns to Kingstonian at home on Saturday 3rd March.

Attendance: 303

Margate: Pidgeley, Mills (May), Essuman, Friend ©, Bodkin, Simpson, Blackman (Rogers), Prescott, Martin (Swift), Collin, Chiedozie

Unused subs: Lee, Evans

More news