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The Latest with Margate FC

from Thanet CommunityAd Magazine

by CommunityAd

from Thanet CommunityAd Magazine , page 58

Article from: Thanet CommunityAd Magazine

Natasha's Challenge for Pilgri...

'Gate See Off Merstham

Margate put in a dominant display on Tuesday 15th February as they ran out 2-0 winners over Merstham at Hartsdown Park in the Isthmian Premier Division.

The hosts may have been forgiven for thinking it wasn’t going to be their night before a ball was even kicked as full back Crossley Lema picked up an injury and had to be replaced by right back by Harrison Hatfull. That injury didn’t deter the Blues though as they raced out the traps looking for that early goal that had eluded them in their previous two fixtures. Both James Bessey-Saldanha and Benas Vaivada had early opportunities denied in the opening fifteen minutes, as Margate looked to make a quick start on a blustery Tuesday evening on the South coast. On-loan Gillingham striker Joseph Gbode was impressing again as he flicked the ball onto Vaivada who couldn’t quite make the most of his opportunity. It was definitely the hosts in the ascendency and Bola was next to test the Merstham keeper Sami Tiemcani in the 28th minute as he spun his defender before seeing his shot well saved. The Blues fans who had just watched two 0-0 draws on the bounce may have been forgiven for thinking it could be the same again, however, on 32 minutes the hosts broke the deadlock as a Vaivada corner fell to Ben Swift who nudged into the direction of Bola who stroked home to give the Blues the advantage. Having lost Lema before the game, Margate then lost their other full back Joe Anderson on the left in the 51st minute as he was replaced by George Lamb, however, the young full back slotted in nicely as Margate continued their dominance. Firstly, Sam Blackman saw his header go narrowly wide before Bessy-Saldanha and Lewis Knight also saw chances to extend Margate’s lead go begging. Although only 1-0, Margate seemed in control as Vaivada continued to impress for the Blues. It was his next effort that was well saved before Swift was denied by Tiemcani from a Ben Greenhalgh cross. The visitors only real chance of note came in the 81st minute as Luke Cook saw an effort fly harmlessly wide of Ben Bridle-Card’s goal and it looked like Margate would have to settle for just the 1-0 win until the dying moments, as Greenhalgh superbly raced down the right into the area, before striking a beautiful shot into the far-left corner to ensure all three points were staying at Hartsdown Park. MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Anderson (Lamb 51’), Agyemang, Knight, Swift, BesseySaldanha (Rutherford 79’), Blackman, Gbode (Greenhalgh 76’), Bola, Vaivada

Subs not used: Kallmeier Margate Goal scorers: Vance Bola 32’, Ben Greenhalgh 90+2’ Man of the Match: Benas Vaivada Attendance: 378

BEN GREENHALGH THANKS SUPPORTERS FOR JANUARY AWARD*

Player of the Month for January Ben Greenhalgh says it is “lovely” to win personal accolades from the Margate supporters, who he says he has forged a great relationship with. “It is obviously lovely to win personal accolades from the supporters. The one thing I love about being at Margate is the fans in the bar after the game let you know if you have had a good game and equally if you haven’t”. Four goals and five assists contributed to the versatile player earning 47% of the vote from Margate supporters, however, the player himself admitted that whilst those stats were impressive, he feels as though they could have been even better. “When you say them stats yeah, they sound good but there were a couple of games in January when we didn’t score, so in that respect as a team that is disappointing”. Now into February and the games continue to come thick and fast for the Blues with a game every Tuesday and Saturday throughout the month, however, Greenhalgh thinks it could help build momentum. “That Velocity Trophy game against Herne Bay at the start of the month was perfect for us to bounce back from the 4-0 defeat at Enfield, and it gave minutes on the pitch to players that hadn’t played as much. “Looking forward now we have to look and say we are unbeaten in February so far; but we have plenty of games and that allows you to hopefully get some momentum going”. As the Blues approach the business end of the season, he admits that there is no talk of the play-offs within the changing room, however he is a fan of looking at the league table to see where we stand and what lies ahead. “Everyone is different. I like to look at the league table and see what we have coming up and also look at the fixtures and see who is playing who. “It is absolutely one game at a time and the next one is East Thurrock on Saturday which is a really tough place to go”. Ahead of Saturdays visit to Rookery Hill, Greenhalgh says it has always been a tough place to visit. “In my previous times going there and playing them, it has always been difficult. It seems to always be a scrappy game and sometimes pinching three points with a last-minute goal. “We will go there knowing it is tough; but also, will apply ourselves correctly and fight for the three points”. Ben Greenhalgh is sponsored this season by Kevin Southall (Home) and Sarah Egan (Away)

GATE WELCOME NEW SPONSOR AT HDP

Margate Football Club is delighted to welcome local Marketing company Johnston Marketing on board as our latest sponsor at Hartsdown Park. Johnston Marketing is owned by local businessman Tim Johnston who is delighted to link up with the club. “When the opportunity came along to be a sponsor at Margate Football Club we couldn't wait to get involved. As a Margate based marketing agency, we love supporting local. I've been going to Hartsdown Park for years as a fan and I know how much as a club, they help the community.

"It's our privilege to be involved”, said the business owner. Johnston Marketing was founded in May 2020. The main objective is to offer businesses of all sizes the opportunity to shine by offering every digital marketing requirement under one roof. Our goal was and is to provide a service that exceeds expectations and allows companies to see real growth. Tim is pictured with Club Secretary Alan Anstice in front of his banner which proudly takes its place on our Five-side pitches. Margate Chairman Ricky Owen was pleased to welcome the latest sponsors to the club. “It is great to have Tim’s company sponsor us. They are a local business and for us, a community club it is vital that we continue to work with real local businesses that bring something to our community”. Businesses looking to sponsor at Margate Football Club should email

commercial@margate-fc.com CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Margate FC were delighted to welcome the Chamber of Commerce to Hartsdown Park for our Velocity Trophy win on 1st February. Everyone had a great evening with plenty of networking taking place. Picture below shows Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Foley with Margate FC Commercial Manager Steve Miller.