VCD ATHLETIC 0 MARGATE 3

The Vickers were slow out of the blocks against the league leaders and went two goals down in the opening 3 minutes, as they were punished for some sloppy defending which put the visitors firmly in control. A long punt upfield was headed wide to Kane Wills, and with nobody tracking back he took his time before sending the ball to the far post where Ryan Moss sent a header bobbling into the corner of Nick Blue’s net. A minute later the lead was doubled when a short back pass left Blue exposed, and Luke Moore nipped in to take the ball round the keeper and roll it into the empty net. VCD rallied as they tried to get back into the game and Karl Dent slipped the ball through to Michael Power who drew a low save from Margate keeper Nikki Bull, before Grant Basey played the ball out of defence to Leigh Bremner who set up Dent, but he fired over the angle. Then Orlando Smith had a chance when he picked up a headed clearance before cutting inside to test Bull with a low drive. The game became a more even contest as the half wore on with both teams passing the ball well on the excellent surface, but Margate added a third goal just after the half hour mark. The ball was worked down the left, then across field, finally reaching Tambeson Eyong, who curled a delightful shot past Nick Blue into the far corner. The Vickers were still working hard and Orlando Smith picked up the ball out wide before playing it square to Lea Dawson whose neat touch gave Lewis Tozer an opportunity, but Bull dived at full stretch to avert the danger. Then Bremner went past two defenders before cutting the ball back to Sean Roberts only for his fierce drive to beat Bull but come crashing back off the bar, then in the last minute Nick Reeves went close with a free kick.
There was early pressure from the hosts as the second half started but they could not make a breakthrough, and they were nearly caught out when a free kick was quickly cleared with Margate breaking with men over, but Nick Blue was quickly off his line with a fine block to deny the visitors. At the other end Michael Power got clear with some nest footwork before releasing skipper Lea Dawson, but stretching, he lifted the ball over. Dawson and Roberts were taking the game to Margate from midfield with the latter prominent in several promising moves, but Margate were quick on the break and had a chance when Ryan Moss received the ball in space but he shot hopelessly wide when well placed. The Vickers refused to give up the chase and had a number of chances as the half wore on but, as has been the case recently, they were unable to convert them. Substitute Lewis Perkins went close, before Grant Basey’s free kick dropped for Michael Power, but his fierce left foot volley flew just over. Another Power effort was deflected wide before Sean Roberts burst through but he drilled his low shot inches past the post. Margate were still a threat however and when they broke into the box late on, they were denied twice in quick succession by the outstanding Blue who made two stunning blocks to prevent further scoring.

VCD Athletic: Blue, Cox, Basey, Reeves (Payne 77), Tozer, Dawson, Roberts, Dent (Perkins 70), Power, Bremner, O Smith (Deen 85)

Substitutes not used: McDonagh, Penfold

Attendance: 205