By Josh Cole (of Margate FC)
A capacity crowd of 3,300 people packed into the WW Martin Community Stadium, with just under 1,000 Blues in support!
The game started brightly for The ‘Gate, Louie Atkins in three minutes had a golden chance but it was saved by Henry Newcombe.
On 16 minutes, Josh Ajayi beat the Margate offside trap and went through one-on-one with Tom Wray but Wray did well to win the ball in his box as Ajayi tried to take it round him.
Then just a minute later, Max Walsh had his 16th goal of the season, Tom Derry flicked it into his path and Walsh placed it home to make it 0-1.
Just two minutes later Wray was called into action and produced two big saves to deny Benny Bioletti and Joe Taylor from point blank range.
Corners were a big part of this game, both teams had a lot but neither team were creating golden chances, however in the 42nd minute, a Ramsgate corner would mean a goal…
For The ‘Gate as they hit the hosts on a counter, Tushaun Walters brought the ball into the Rams half, played it down the line for Derry and his cross found the head of Atkins and it was a super finish to make it 0-2.
Just before half-time, Ajayi scored from a free kick, he went around the wall and beat Wray at the far post, setting up an exciting second half.
In the 48th minute Atkins would hit the woodwork as Ben Greenhalgh’s cross found Derry’s head at the back post, he directed the header to Atkins but the strike hit the bar.
Ten minutes later, The ‘Gate had a third. Joe Ellul got caught on the ball, taken by Walters, he then calmly went around the ‘keeper and knocked the ball into the empty net to make it 1-3.
Then the game hit a bit of a snag, but both teams were still playing on the front foot despite not creating as much as the rest of the game.
Ramsgate should have scored in the 79th minute as Kai Garratt put a ball in across the six-yard box but Ajayi put it wide.
A red card was shown to Olumide Oluwatimilehin after a shove to Derry and they went down to ten.
There was a second red card given to Ramsgate with frustrations rising amongst their ranks, Tom Clifford swiped out at Ben Allen and then kicked him and the referee gave him his marching orders, Rams were down to nine.
In the 96th minute of play, Ramsgate sent everyone forward for the corner, including the goalie with nothing to lose.
Margate cleared and had a two-on-one with Allen and Derry racing towards goal, Allen beat the last defender and then strolled into the box and calmly finished the ball and the game in style, capping off a superb away performance and a sweet derby victory for Margate at 4-1.
Following the match Rams celebrated their Isthmian League South East Division title and promotion.
