URCHINS ON THE MARCH AS LEWWIS LEADS WAY
HORNCHURCH powered to their seventh league win on the trot as three second-half goals kept them firmly in play-off contention.
After a first half of few chances, the Urchins led just before the hour.
And two further strikes in the last 15 minutes sealed victory against their fellow play-off aspirants, who were only a point behind their Essex oponents at kick-off.
The hosts had the first chance, on 11 minutes, when he headed Ben Greenhalgh’s corner narrowly wide.
Greenhalgh got in on the act after 20 minutes but his first time shot flew just over..
Defences assumed control. But the visitors nearly led on the stroke of half time when Tobi Joseph hit a fierce shot which Gate keeper Ben Bridle-Card managed to push away.
They did lead in the 58th minute when half-time substitute Nathan Bertram-Cooper got on the end of a free kick and slotted it home.
With captain Lewwis Spence pulling the strings in midfield, chances started coming more frequently for the visitors.
A clearance header fell to Liam Nash whose volley went just wide. Olive Muldoon then lost his marker from a corner but his header also went wide.
Then in the 76th minute the Urchins doubled their lead
when Remi Sutton crossed it to the back post to find Charlie Ruff unmarked for an easy nod in.
This seemed to deflate Gate. And four minutes later, Joseph rose unmarked at the back post to head home a corner and give his side a three-nil lead.
Spence had a chance to make it four, moments later but his well hit shot went just over the bar.
And the referee then blew the final whistle to save the hosts from further damaging their goal difference.
Disappointed Margate boss Jay Saunders told The NLP:
“Too many of our players had an off day and when you are upagainst an experienced side you can’t afford this.
“Hornchurch deserved their win but we didn’t help by giving away soft goals.”