Much changed Margate hosted unchanged Welling United in a Boxing Day fixture that was vital for both teams in the relegation battle.

Whilst Margate came into the game on the back of eight straight losses, Welling had won their last four. Boxing Day fixtures have a habit of throwing up some shocks and both Margate manager Nikki Bull and Jamie Day, the Wings’ boss were aware of the prospect.

However, as it turned out, the game ran true to form and Welling claimed the three points with relative ease.

That means that Welling finish the month with a 100% record whilst troubled Margate have finished their second consecutive month of losses.

Another brace from Adam Coombes brought took his hot streak to seven goals in four games and Christian Nanetti led the Margate a merry dance for 75 minutes before being given a well deserved rest.

Had it not been for a virtuoso performance by Margate goalkeeper Valery Pajetat, the score would have been a lot heavier.

Full back Tommy Cooney and winger Alex Henshall made their Margate debuts whilst their third new signing Oneil Odofin took a place on the bench.

Charles Banya got behind the Welling defence but Jordan Brown recovered to make a great block in the only early goal mouth action of note.

Coombes was unable to make a clean connection when Welling created their first opportunity before Pajetat made a brave save at the feet of Harry Crawford.

Chris Lewington then made an excellent save at the other end, diving full length to turn around Daniel Akindayini’s shot that was bound for the bottom corner.

Sam Hatton had two attempts, one off target, and one from a free kick that drew a comfortable save.

Two minutes before the break, Welling went ahead. Cooney brought down Nanetti in the penalty area and Coombes sent Pajetat the wrong way.

It may have been two immediately after but neither Coombes nor George Oakley could provide the final touch.

Pajetat was soon in action again after the break, first saving from Oakley then from Danny Waldren.

Nathan Fox fired over when Henshall’s pace took him away from the chasing defenders but that was as good as it got for Margate.

Nanetti sliced his shot after Coombes had set him up but had more luck with his next effort. Collecting a short free kick from Hatton, he caught the Margate defence napping with a shot that took a slight deflection off Lewis Taylor on its way into the net.

Oakley might have made it three but headed wide from a Matt Fish cross.

Fish was unable to beat Pajetat before the Margate custodian made a brilliant save from Crawford after more Nanetti trickery had created the opening.

Pajetat’s best save came from Coombes after being set up by Dan Walker who had just come on for Welling star man Nanetti. Coombes’ shot looked a certain goal until Pajetat intervened with a contender for save of the season.

Finally, with four minutes remaining, Coombes put the game to bed. Brett Johnson got the ball stuck under his feet on the edge of his area and Coombes robbed him before blasting home.

Deep into injury time, former Margate goalkeeper Lewington had to be substituted and may be out for a while. Waldren took the goalkeeping jersey and saw out the remaining time before joking that he should get a clean sheet bonus.

 

Margate: Pajetat, Taylor, Cooney, Phipps, Moore-Azille, Johnson, Adelakun (Fanimo 64), Richefond, Akindayini, Banya (Fox 35), Henshall. Subs not used: Odofin, Williams, Foster.

Welling United: Lewington, Fish, Brown, Hatton (Joseph-Dubois 90), Hayles, Francis, Nanetti (Walker 75), Waldren, Crawford (Fuseini 90), Coombes, Oakley. Subs not used: Johnson, Williams.

Referee: Lee Venamore

Assistants: Matthew Pollington and Ryan Whitaker

Attendance: 588

Man of the match: Valery Pajetat