A 9 goal thriller as Margate scare off opponents in the Halloween weekend fixture against Beckenham Town.

Kane Haysman scored 4 on the night (Image Credits: Margate FC)

Preview

Going into this game Margate knew it could be a winnable fixture, and it was a similar story to the last time that Beckenham were visitors to the Gate, last time they shipped 6 goals and Margate bested their record this time out with an extra goal. It was the first time Margate had scored 7 goals at home in 30 years.

FIRST HALF

Beckenham had never kept a clean sheet against Margate, and with Margate being the 4th most entertaining team in the league (4th highest goals for and against) this game was bound to be entertaining, and it certainly delivered.

Picking right up from where Margate left off against Deal, with those two goals in the last 25 minutes, Margate continued the energy and picked up their first goal 10 minutes into the match, when a Greenhalgh freekick was saved, but rebounded into play, Kane Haysman was the fastest to react as he nipped in the first goal for the Gates 11’.

After counter-attacking immediately from kick-off TT walters sprung into the box, and drew a penalty for Margate, but the keeper guessed the right side and saved Olutade’s shot from the spot.

From free kick to penalty, Margate relied on their third set piece of the game to find the second goal, as the corner was whipped round the back post to Kane Haysman, who made it his second of the game 19’.

But the set pieces didn’t stop there, just 4 minutes later it was the home side and TT Walter winning the second penalty again, with the gaffer stepping up and slotting the ball past the keeper to make it 3-0 after 24 minutes 24’.

Walters was electric and unforgiving, once again it was his run that gave Margate the fourth of the game, after he squared it to Olutade, who wasn’t going let the keeper save this one as the ball was squeezed through his legs 30’.

Beckenham weren’t giving up all hope, and took their chance right toward the end of the first half, despite the Margate fans begging for the whistle to be blown, after Margate failed to clear the corner the ball was whipped back in for Morris to register one for the away side 47’.

SECOND HALF

There was not a hint of complacency in Margate’s game as they came straight back out from half time and found themselves 5-1 up in the 54th minute, after winning their 3rd penalty of the game, this time from a handball in the box. It was Kane who stepped up to win himself the hat trick on the night 53’.

Despite the scoreline, the Beckenham keeper had some decent highlights and he earned himself an assist when his long pass was taken down coolly by Shaquille Gordon, who, with a composed finish, made the score 5-2 77’.

But Kane made sure it was nothing more than a consolation goal as he bagged Margate’s 6th of the night with a half volley from inside the penalty box 81’, and in extra time Margate secured one more with a lovely, low driven finish from Kieron Agebi, to conclude the 9 goal thriller 94’.

This win sinks Beckenham further into the relegation spots, and helps Margate continue a good run of form. With most of their key players out injured still, it shows the side has the courage to keep fighting for those promotion places, and Margate’s youthful bench had the energy to make the match theirs. 

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Kane Haysman

Player rating: 10.0

Of course it has to be, 4 on the night makes it 7 all season, so with half those goals coming in this one game, Kane will be hopeful to make it more next Saturday when Margate face 11th place Crowborough. Kane had the instincts of a good finisher tonight, with a poachers finish, a penalty and a superb volley, he was everything he needed to be and more for the Gate.