Nikki Bull’s first game as manager of Margate ended with the club’s second home league win all season thanks to a second half strike from Freddie Ladapo.
Bull took over a struggling Margate team. The Thanet side started the day in 20th in the Vanarama National League South, just one point from safety. After winning only three of their last 10 games in all competitions Terry Brown left the club, allowing the goalkeeper to go into the role.
His first signing as manager was Chris Lewington, and he started his first game between the sticks for his new club. Loanees Matthew Johnson and Sean Shields made their first home appearances, Johnson’s from the bench in a team which had four changes from Brown’s final eleven at St Albans; Lewington replaced Bull in goal whilst Brett Johnson, Christian Jolley and Luke Moore took the places of Nathan Green, Matt Johnson and Danny Green respectively.
After a busy week at Hartsdown Park the Gate’s weekend wouldn’t be any easier, Gosport came into the game out of the playoff positions on goal difference. One of the in form teams in the league, having only lost two of their last ten, they had a chance to force their way into the race for promotion as the year draws to a close.
The hosts began the game at a lightning pace. Less than a minute into the game they had a handball shout turned down within the penalty area before Gosport’s Nathan Ashmore was forced into a low save.
Gosport soon showed what they were capable of however, with only seven minutes on the clock George Barker cut inside after a quick passing move with Dan Wooden and hit a low shot to the left of Chris Lewington which the goalkeeper did well to block.
As the first half went on the two team’s contrasting styles became evident. Nikki Bull’s side were looking to use the physical presence of Freddie Ladapo going forward whilst George Baker, Andy Robinson and Dan Wooden’s intricate, tricky footwork was causing problems for a static Margate defence.
With time running out in the first half both sides search went on for the opening goal. A quick passing move from Margate involving Ladapo, Moore and Jolley gave Sean Shields space in the area, but the winger’s first touch was too strong.
Gosport had the final chance of the half, but after Chris Lewington spectacularly tipped over Dan Wooden’s free kick Margate were able to clear away the resulting corner, meaning the sides remained level at half time.
Much like the first period, it didn’t take long for margate to begin creating chances at the start of the second half, less than two minutes in a throw in from the right was flicked on by Jake Goodman before the ball flew inches wide of the target.
Soon after a tricky run from Sean Shields allowed Christian Jolley an opportunity at the far post, but the midfielder headed a powerful effort over.
It took the visitors just over an hour to have their first major chance of the half. After another Sean Shields cross was cleared a quick run from George Barker created a counter attack, the attacker found Dan Wooden who quickly layed the ball off to Justin Bennett, but after taking a touch to get the ball out of his feet, the striker0 who had been quiet all afternoon- shot over.
Despite this counter, it was Margate who kept control of the game and scored a deserved opener. A quick flick from Sean Shields on the left wing allowed Nathan Green to whip a cross towards the far post, after a dummy from Luke Moore and the Gosport defence’s failure to clear, Ladapo took the ball down to poke a shot past Nathan Ashmore, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Shields was involved in their next attack as well, after controlling a long ball he skipped past his marker before cutting onto his left foot and firing a shot just over. With less than fifteen minutes remaining Margate’s search for a second went on when Nathan green’s long range effort was well gathered by Ashmore in the Gosport goal.
With time running out Gosport needed to push forward in search of an equaliser, but after Justin Bennett’s effort was bravely blocked by Charlie Wassmer and hurried away, Margate were able to hold on for only their second home win of the season.
That win sends Margate up to 18th in the table as they climb out of the relegation zone on goal difference. The three points could prove vital, as their new manager explained after the match.
“The team has given me everything over the last couple of weeks, and as a manager that’s all I can ask for. On the flipside they’ve set their bar now, I’ve seen how hard they can work and how committed they are, it’s up to them to keep it up now.”
Margate can now look forward to the visit of Maidstone on Boxing Day; the Stones are in the race for promotion despite having one league win since the start of December.
Margate: Lewington, Wilson, B Johnson (N Green), Hunt (M Johnson), Goodman, Wassmer, Wills, Jolley (L Taylor), Ladapo, Moore, Shields
Subs not used: J Taylor, D Green
Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Wheeler, Williams, Carter, Poate, Woodford, Robinson, Harding (Lee), Barker, Bennett, Wooden
Subs not used: Wilde, MacDevitt, Dunford, Ryan