Margate continued their march on a sustained promotion challenge with a convincing 2-0 win at Peacehaven & Telscombe on Easter Saturday – Zak Attwood helping himself to a brace.
Starting the stronger, Margate created the first goal-scoring opportunity as Ryan Moss was guilty of missing a glorious opening, blazing over the bar from close range – Kane Wills and Ryan Taylor linking up well in the build up as Taylor unselfishly played the ball back into the danger area after going a little too wide when rounding host ‘keeper Anthony Di Bernardo.
Margate soon had the ball in the back of net but Anthony Riviere’s finish was ruled out after the referee had blown for handball by Taylor in the build up.
Midweek hat-trick hero Freddie Lapado proved to be a menace throughout heading straight at ‘keeper Di Bernardo and then seeing his cute back-heel from close range scrambled clear from the goal-line. Lapado proceeded to miss further guilt-edged chances heading over from virtually underneath the crossbar and then seeing another close range header well saved by the brave Di Bernardo – Desperate to make amends he then took on the Magpies’ defence with a mazy run but his shot from range was comfortable for the ‘keeper.
It is fair to say Margate ‘keeper Nikki Bull had a quiet first half with only four occasions he touched the ball – The fourth was critical, however, as he had to be aware of a low curling free kick by Steve Metcalf – Injuring himself in the process in colliding with the goal-post and after lengthy treatment was able to continue – But Bull’s involvement was short-lived, substituted at half time for Matthew Armstrong-Ford.
Margate rewarded their significant following as they took a deserved lead shortly into the second half – Zak Attwood nodding home Riviere’s cross-shot from close range.
The game followed a similar pattern as the visitors dominated possession but were unable to test ‘keeper Di Bernardo however just after the hour Margate were rewarded and doubled their lead as Attwood smashed the ball home – Taylor crucial in the build up showing his strength to shake off challenges and laying the ball to the feet of the clinical Attwood.
With fifteen minutes remaining the hosts manufactured an opening but Jorden Stubbings’ snap-shot on the edge of the penalty area was well saved by Margate’s relatively untroubled Armstrong-Ford and the danger cleared.
The game ended in disjointed fashion in the final few minutes as changes made disrupted the flow but the visitors will have been pleased with their days work at the beginning of a crucial seven days to take home the maximum three points and keep up the pressure on the two sides above them – Fellow Kent side and league leaders Maidstone and Hendon whom they face in midweek next week – With both sides having two games in hand on the leaders the game between the two of them will be crucial in determining each sides end of season fate.
Peacehaven & Telscombe: Di Bernardo, Marzetti, Bolwell, Hammond, Jones, Metcalf, McLean (65), Cotton ©, Brotherton, Burton, Saunders
Subs not used: McLennan, Secko, Deacon
Margate: Bull © (Armstrong-Ford, HT), Eyong, Rents, Riviere (James, 74), Wasmmer, Gerring, Taylor, Wills, Moss, Attwood (Bennett, 80), Ladapo
Subs not used: Johnson, Cash
Goals: Attwood (48, 64)
Referee: Andrew Parker
Asst Referees: Dan Johnston & Jamaal Horne
Att; 215