Today’s fixture saw 8th place Margate at home to league leaders Dover Athletic, the previous fixture ended in a 3-0 win to Dover. Dover having two first team player out due to injury LB Owen Stewart and CM Liam Jones. Athletic manager Chris Lynch decided to give his squad players an opportunity to shine making five changes to last weeks starting eleven after their 4-0 victory over Lordswood.
First half Margate started strongly, applying pressure on the Dover back line from the first whistle, this resulted in two real opportunities for Margate to open the scoring early on, the first was a well struck shot from the edge of 18 yard box hitting the upright and the second saw a good turn in the box from the Margate striker who slotted home, however, this was disallowed after the striker had originally been in an off side position. However, from 11 minutes onwards a seemingly out of sorts Athletic team suddenly woke up, and showed why they are the league leaders. On 12 Minutes ACM Ben Cassingena popped up in the Margate box from the left wing to fire a low shot just inside the near post. On 20 Minutes free scoring striker Jack Gealer, found himself with the simplest of conversions after some great work from fellow striker Cody Allcock beating his man and the GK with the ball heading slowly over the line for jack to pounce on. Dover held possession for a considerable time before ending the half as they had begun it with Gealer once again win hand to poke the ball home from close range, Great assist from Kyle Miller who with a rescission cross located Gealer.
Half time Margate 0 – 3 Dover.
Second half saw Dover make some changes in personnel, the game turned quite scrappy for the next 30 minutes until on 75 Minutes Gealer scored Dover’s 4th and his hatrick with a decent finish inside the box. On 85 Minutes some good work down the left wing saw Finlay Fletcher un marked at the back post, who was able to get a touch no the ball guiding it into the net making it 0-5. On 86 minutes Kyle Miller drilled a well place slow shot into the net and the move of game saw Ben Cassingena link up well with Miller & Alfie Bryant, who then drove into the box as the return ball came in at pace, with Ben Cassingena getting on the end of it for 7.
