Report: Margate 4-0 Eastbourne Town

Eastbourne Town travelled to one of the big hitters in the Isthmian League South East Division on Saturday—former Isthmian Premier Division side Margate. Despite the almighty challenge presented, Town fans travelled in their numbers for one of the ultimate away days on the calendar.

We got underway at a very overcast Hartsdown Park. Town were not shying away from the challenge, with James Hull and James Stone starting, we tried to match the host’s firepower. But it was Margate who would test out goalkeeping abilities first with just over five minutes gone. Ben Greenhalgh struck one hard and low but was stopped brilliantly by Winterton who got down low to parry away and then The Gate’s dangerman, Ibrahim Olutade, followed up but Winterton scurried over to save with his feet!

Despite the early pressure, Town absorbed it well and found spells of possession to try and find a foot in the game. Anesu Sisimayi, Eliot Some more strikes would head towards Winterton but they would be tame or off-target. Twenty-two minutes on the clock and Town would get their first strike on goal with James Waters hitting one from a distance but although it was struck with venom, it was straight at goalkeeper Tom Ray. Chants of “We’ve had a shot” rang out from the travelling Town supporters!

Town would have a good ten minutes, another half chance came from a counter-attack, James Hull picking up the ball on the right, lofts a through ball to James Stone who collects well on his chest, moves the ball onto his right foot and strikes but pulls his shot wide.

It was a solid first-half display away from home against top-quality opposition but our clean sheet was to be torn up just minutes before the break. Kai Garande gets in down the left and strikes, his shot is aimed in the direction of Ibrahim Olutade who gets a touch and slots it home to continue his goalscoring form. A real hammer blow to Town right before the interval.

The second half got underway and the overcast conditions were slowly turning to a light drizzle. However, this was not dampening the spirits of our travelling Town supporters who were outsinging 450 Margate supporters with ease.

Unlike the first-half, it took The Gate just six minutes to double their lead. Ibrahim Olutade slots it off to Jordan Ababio who beats his marker and absolutely rifles his strike into the roof of the net. There was nothing Winterton could do about that one.

The early late goal in the first half and early goal in the second would destroy any team’s morale but Town fought back whilst defending well for half an hour. James Stone had our best opportunity of the second half. Freddie Warren reversed his pass which found Stone in the box, brilliant footwork from the big man created space and managed to hit a low-driven shot on target but an excellent outflung foot from Wray kept it out.

The heavens opened and despite Town best efforts, two more goals for The Gate followed. Ben Greenhalgh latched onto a Louie Atkins through ball to score the third and debutant Ben Allen slotted home to seal a four-nil win for our hosts.

A disappointing result but a massive thank you to the supporters who were incredible and did not stop singing from the first whistle to the last. We will go again at The Saffrons against undefeated Ramsgate. We will need all your support for that one!

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