Blues 0 Margate 1

A goal in the third minute of the second half from ex Colchester United striker Freddie Ladapo settled this pulsating contest sponsored by EDF Energy. The former Grays Athletic striker raced onto a searching ball out of defence from Charlie Wassmer, out pacing Tom Bullard before clinically finishing low to the right of Danny Gay. Whilst it was a fantastic goal it was harsh on a home side who gamely battled throughout and looked worthy of a point at minimum against a Margate side pressing for promotion. Leiston included new signing John Sands who had signed hours before kick off in attack hoping that the former Ryman League golden boot winner could fire the Blues into the play offs. But it was Margate who settled quickly showing some neat passing in the opening minutes. For all their busy start the visitors almost proved their own undoing on four minutes when a sliced clearance from a back pass by Nikki Bull landed to Gareth Heath and his early ball found Joe Francis but he was crowded out by the back peddling centre halves to snuff out the threat at the expense of the first corner of the game. Leiston then grew into the game with Joe Francis inparticular creating havoc down the left flank. Luke Moore was the first into the Referee’s book tripping Francis in full flight as the visitors frantically defended their right flank. Mid way through the first half Gareth Heath sent a header just over the bar from a Blake Saker cross as Leiston penned back the visitors. A superb passing interchange ripped through the Margate defence on the half hour mark with Gareth Heath’s defence splitting pass releasing Joe Francis in the box but his centre was held at full stretch by Nikki Bull with John Sands lurking inside the six yard box. Margate’s first real effort at target came from long range with a well hit shot from Lewis Taylor finger tipped over by Danny Gay. The pace of the game failed to relent as both sides produced a high quality, high tempo first half to warm an enthusiastic crowd. Seven minutes before the interval yet another foul on Joe Francis brought a free kick whipped in by Gareth Heath, flicked onto John Sands whose acrobatic attempt only just cleared Nikki Bull’s bar. Leiston were claiming a penalty when Gareth Heath’s cross seemed to strike the arm of Sam Rents before the lively Sands then flashed an effort wide from the edge of the box as Leiston ended an opening half on top.

With the half barely three minutes old a long ball out of defence from Charlie Wassmer released the pacey Freddie Ladapo who out paced Tom Bullard before firing low beyond the outstretched hand of Danny Gay low to his right from just inside the box. It was a well executed goal, slightly against the run of play but one the visitors celebrated in numbers. For a ten minute spell Margate dictated play reducing the home side’s tempo with the sting well and truly out of the game. Leiston finally responded on 58 minutes with a crisp effort from Blake Saker clearing the home bar before creating a great chance on the hour. Scott Mitchell found John Sands inside the box whose clever spin left the defender wanting but his effort went agonisingly wide with Nikki Bull rooted to the spot. The game was now beginning to stretch and Luke Moore saw an effort deflected inches wide as Margate looked for the killer second goal. But Leiston weren’t finished and a fine pass from Patrick Brothers found Joe Francis inside the box and after great control, he was about to shoot for goal but was denied by a superb saving tackle from Tamberson Eyong who was having a fine second half. Late in the game the home side claimed a penalty when Joe Francis went down in the box and despite laying siege to the Margate goal the visitors stood firm to pick up three valuable points in their quest for promotion.

FT – Blues 0 Margate 1

Blues – Gay, Saker, Boardley, Cunningham (Mills 73 mins), Jefford, Bullard, Brothers, Heath, Mitchell, Sands, Francis. Subs not used – Mayhew, Winter, Merritt and Rossis.

Goals – Ladapo 48 mins (Margate)

Yellow cards – Boardley (Leiston), Moore (Margate)

EDF Energy Man of the Match – Blake Saker

Attendance – 207