Margate’s survival hopes were given a boost thanks to a dramatic 4-3 win over Hemel Hempstead Town.
Nikki Bull’s side came into their final home game of the season with one of the worst recent records in football. Having not gained a point in their last ten games, leaving them just one point clear of the relegation places with two games remaining. Following their embarrassing 4-1 defeat at Bishops Stortford in their last game, there was one change in the starting lineup whilst a change of formation looked likely.
Christian Jolley took the place of Jake Goodman as David Hunt was pushed back to left back with a 4-2-3-1 in which Matthew Johnson started as the lone striker.
The visitors travelled to Kent knowing that three points would guarantee a playoff place, meaning another trip to the South East with a game against either Ebbsfleet or Maidstone. The entered the match in fifth place, three points clear of Maidenhead who still had slim hopes of playing post season football.
Within the opening minute Margate got the early goal they would have wanted. After Danny Green was fouled on the left wing, David Hunt stepped up to take the resulting free kick before floating a shot over Jamie Butler before dipping under the crossbar to give the Thanet side the opening goal that Nikki Bull would have wanted and their first lead since February.
Hemel soon worked their way back into the game and just after ten minutes they forced Chris Lewington into an impressive save. Some tricky footwork from Harry Hickford gave the midfielder enough space to pull the trigger, but he was denied by a strong hand from the Margate ‘keeper to dive to his left to block the effort.
It took the hosts another ten minutes to create another opportunity to test Butler, and it was Danny Green who forced the goalkeeper into an acrobatic save from outside the area.
From their next attack, the hosts were able to double their lead through Matthew Johnson. Charlie Wassmer found himself on the left wing and he hit a cross towards Luke Moore. The attacking midfielder did well to flick the ball into the path of Johnson who fired a powerful effort past Jamie Butler.
Margate’s confidence continued to grow, and just five minutes later Lewis Taylor’s effort from thirty yards flew inches wide of the target.
However, it was Hemel who scored the next goal of the game when Greame Montgomery reduced his team’s deficit. After taking the ball in with his back to goal, Harry Hickford did well to lay play back to Montgomery, allowing the attacker to hit a powerful strike past Chis Lewington.
This didn’t effect Margate though, and on their next attack Danny Green scored their third just before half time. Some impressive work on the right wing allowed Matt Johnson to work the ball back into the path of Green who stroked the move home, meaning the hosts went into half time with a 3-1 lead.
The hosts started the second half similarly to how they played the first- in control with plenty of attacking movement. Within six minutes of the restart Christian Jolley cut inside onto his left foot and hit a low shot against the side netting.
On their next attack though, the Thanet side scored their fourth of the game. Luke Moore did fantastically to beat Hemel’s high defensive line before getting around Jamie Butler and sliding a shot into the unguarded goal.
Margate’s pressure continued, but it was Hemel Hempstead who scored the next goal of the match. A scramble within the six yard box ensued after Margate struggled to clear a cross from the left, and Kyle Connolly put an end to the frantic few seconds with a low shot past Chris Lewington.
With less than ten minutes remaining Margate began to sit back, inviting the visitors to push forward in the hope of working their way back into the game- and they took it. Grahame Montgomery took advantage of a poor clearance to hit a magnificent shot past Lewington to make it 4-3 with time running out.
Despite those three points, Margate still aren’t safe, only one of the bottom nine teams in the National League South lost on Saturday afternoon, meaning that it will all go down to the final weekend of the season. Nikki Bull’s side know that, thanks to their superior goal difference, a point is likely to guarantee safety when they travel to Bath City next weekend.
Margate: Lewington, Hunt, N Green, Wills, Wassmer, Wilson, Taylor, Moore, Johnson, Jolley, D Green (Goodman)
Subs not used: Sembie- Ferris, Andrews, Rowland, Laing
Hemel Hempstead Town: Butler, Herd, Connolly, Hickford (Spring), Mitchell- King, Bailey-Dennis, Wellard, Richens, Sekajja, Ferrier (Pappoe), Montgomery
Subs not used: Parrott, Findlay- Bada, Brooks
Referee: Mr D Cook
Assistants: Mr C Robertson, Mr J Miles
Attendance: 823