A hat trick from Lewis Taylor propelled Margate to a convincing win as their impressive record under Nikki Bull goes on.
The odds looked good for the hosts before the game; after an impressive Christmas period they found themselves away from the relegation discussion. Having not lost a league game at home since the 14th of November, they found themselves just eight points out of the playoff places in a very competitive Conference South. Chelmsford however, were not faring as well. After an impressive start to the season they had not been able to win in the league in two months.
Nikki Bull made two changes to his Margate side who won at Maidenhead the previous week. The end of Sean Shields’ loan spell in Thanet meant that there was one forced change with Charlie Wassmer coming in, whilst Sam Rents took the place of Brett Johnson.
Bull’s side started well and almost took the lead within two minutes when Freddie Ladapo forced an early save from Chelmsford’s Tim Brown.
However, just two minutes later the Gate scored the opening goal from the penalty spot. A long ball over the top from midfield gave Lewis Taylor a chance to get a shot away, only for the playmaker to be pulled down by Rory McAuley. Taylor brushed himself off to convert the spot kick, sending Brown the wrong way.
Soon after the opening goal the visitors began to push forward for the first time in the game. A quick counter attack allowed Matthew Winchelow a chance to shoot from close range but his effort was well blocked by Sam Rents.
Just ten minutes later the referee had first pointed to the penalty spot, he was doing it again. Freddie Ladapo did well to get onto a loose ball from McAuley and rushing into the area, only to be tripped by Dexter Peter. Lewis Taylor stepped up to take the resulting spot kick, and again fired a shot past Tim Brown.
The hosts continues to push on and look for another. A fantastic passing move between Kane Wills and Danny Green allowed the latter to create some space on the edge of the area, but his delightful curled shot was acrobatically tipped over.
With less than ten minutes remaining in the first half, the Clarets were able to capitalise on some horrendous Margate defending. A long throw fell straight to an open Winchelow who calmly placed a shot into the top corner.
However, the game took another turn minutes later when Margate scored their third of the half. Freddie Ladapo did well to hold up play, allowing Lewis Taylor to make a run down the right wing before finding Danny Green with a low cross towards the near post. The attacker did well to convert under pressure giving his side a 3-1lead after the first 45 minutes of play.
In a slow second half neither team truly got going, with less than thirty minutes remaining Billy Bricknell improvised when he flicked a cross from the left onto the post, but that was as close as Chelmsford got.
With the game withering out, Lewis Taylor was still able to grab his hat trick when a cross from Nathan Green on the left wing fell into the path of the midfielder who forced a shot past Brown.
These three points put Margate into 11th in the Conference South, just six points away from the playoff places but their credentials will be tested next week when they travel along the north Kent coast to first placed Ebbsfleet United.
Margate: Lewington, Wilson, Rents, M Johnson, Goodman, Wassmer, Wills, L Taylor (Moore), Ladapo (J Taylor), D Green, N Green
Subs not used: B Johnson, Jolley, Stuart
Chelmsford City: Brown, Girdlestone, Graham, Sawyer, Haines, McAuley, Marlow, Whichelow (Morgan), Bricknell, Peter, Daley (Hunt)
Subs not used: Gordon, Green, Expiteta
Referee: Mr A Laver
Assistants: Mr D Austin and Mr A Blake
Attendance: 732