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In Homelands first piece
of competitive action in December, and just the third
game played there in six weeks, a solitary goal from
Margate skipper Lloyd Blackman was enough to take the
points against his former club.
The glee on Blackman’s face as he slid in the
74th minute winner was something to behold, as Stones
keeper Jamie Turner was finally beaten after standing
fast against the raiders from Thanet.
On no fewer than three occasions did the giant Stones
keeper deny the lively Anthony Joseph with fine blocks,
but also followed that up with a sensational early save
to deny Ben Clarke’s rampaging run through the
mud, and a fine tip over of Joe Healy’s chip.
But not even Turner could deny the Gate the win, but
he came extremely close! A long cross from Aaron Lacy
was met by the diving Healy who’s header was magnificently
turned aside by the giant keeper, only for Blackman
to slide the rebound beyond the reach of even Turner
and into the net.
Yet despite all the chances that Margate created, the
Stones still missed a golden opportunity to salvage
a point from the game, only for James Pinnock to have
a 78th minute penalty superbly saved by Gate keeper
Matt Read diving away to his left. And to add injury
to insult the keeper was quickest to react to deny the
follow up to from substitute Lyndon Rowland.
And just to really prove that its wasn’t the Stones
day, veteran defender Peter Hawkins was sent off in
the closing minutes for a second yellow card for hauling
down Joseph on the half way line.
In injury time Blackman was denied a second by yet
another fantastic Turner save – this time the keeper
used every inch of his frame to tip the Margate skippers
brilliant chip over the bar.
For Turner to concede again would have been tough on
the Stones keeper who was undoubtedly Man of the Match,
but may have been a truer reflection on the enthralling
90 minute battle through the mud that the two sides
served up.
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