By Blue-tinted specs
Harrow Borough 1 Margate 0
Margate’s losing streak extended to four matches with this FA Trophy exit on Saturday.
There was uproar when Margate had a goal chalked off in injury time but in reality a series of wasted chances in the first half – notably Ben Greenhalgh’s saved penalty just before half-time – proved to be their downfall.
A second half red card for Skye Salmon and subsequent penalty provided the home side with an opportunity which they did not waste.
In the opening minutes of the game, Margate won the ball deep in Harrow’s half. Steve Cawley supplied Sam Blackman who had a clear sight of goal but blasted over.
Soon after, a Harrison Hatfull cross from the right was headed wide by new signing Rhodell Gordon.
Within seconds, an Archie Johnson cross from the left was met by Blackman but he couldn’t keep his header down.
Just before the interval a foul on Johnson resulted in a penalty. Greenhalgh’s kick was saved by home keeper Tyler Tobin who pounced to his right.
Early in the second half, Greenhalgh whipped in a cross to the stretching Gordon but Tobin gathered the ball.
Greenhalgh then played in the overlapping Hatfull and he had two efforts blocked.
At the other end of the pitch, Margate keeper Harry Seaden had to bring off a diving save from Ross Oulton’s curling free-kick.
The decisive moment came on 65 minutes when Harrow looked like they were about to score but were denied by a Salmon handball. The Margate defender was shown the red card. Lonit Talla’s penalty was saved by Seaden but the rebound scored by Stefan Powell.
Despite having ten men, Margate continued to press for an equaliser and thought they had it in injury time. The ball was cut back to Greenhalgh in the box and his shot went through a crowd of bodies into the net but the linesman’s flag was erect.
