Margate 0-1 Wealdstone
Margate
0 - 1
WealdstoneDespite being under pressure for long periods of the first half of this match at Hartsdown Park on Saturday, Wealdstone eventually wore down and frustrated the home side in the second period and deservedly came away with all three points courtesy of a Ryan Ashe goal after 69 minutes
Margate striker Michael Power had the first attempt for the home side when his overhead kick sailed just wide of the Wealdstone goal after four minutes.
Three minutes later James Gregory also went close for the home side when he was allowed to get a shot in on goal, but Stones goalkeeper Luke Woods, who had an excellent match, beat the ball away.
Stones were given a sniff of goal when Gavin James was allowed to turn easily in the Margate box, but his shot went straight into the grateful arms of home keeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens.
The Blues found Stones’ keeper Woods in superb form as he firstly tipped a Wayne Wilson free kick over the bar after 14 minutes and then was at his best again to stop Power four minutes later.
Stones had been relatively quiet up to this period then had two excellent chances to open the scoring. An excellent cross field ball found Graham Montgomery who showed good control before lashing a left foot volley just over Scott Chalmers-Stevens’ goal.
Just before half-time, Wealdstone should have taken the lead. Chalmers-Stevens, seemingly under no pressure at all, dropped the ball at the feet of Gavin James who put the ball through the legs of the Margate goalkeeper. Just as the ball was rolling towards the net, the Gate were handed a reprieve as the referee blew for a foul on the Blues custodian.
The home side were forced into a change of personnel just before the break as defender Jack Parkinson was stretchered off. On the stroke of half-time Robinson almost had an instant impact as he shot from a corner that was cleared off the line. The Gate players queued up to score, but the ball fell to Dan Young who let fly with a right foot shot which was superbly tipped over the bar by the in form Woods.
Margate failed to spark in the second period and had just one effort of any note when Dan Stubbs’ volley was easily saved by Woods 10 minutes from time.
The goal came through some poor defending from the home side as Ryan Ashe profited from Dan Kerrigan’s failed clearance which allowed the midfielder to calmly loft the ball brilliantly over Chalmers-Stevens.
Margate striker Power was booed off by the Margate fans as Luke Coleman replaced the striker.
Wealdstone face a much tougher league test on Tuesday evening (28 October) when they face high flying Staines Town at The Vale, kick-off 7.45pm. This win will have given them a much needed boost however.
Wealdstone: Luke Woods, Carl Martin, Lee Chappell, James Gray, Alan Massey, Ryan Ashe, Kieran Forbes, Chris O’Leary, Gavin James (Nick Salapatas,63), Steve Hughes, Graham Montgomery (David Hicks76).