A 30th minute goal from Margate’s Lewis Taylor was all that separated the new Ryman Premier League leaders from mid-table Leatherhead in an edgy 1-0 defeat at Hartsdown Park on Saturday.
Tanners boss Richard Brady stuck by the same starting 11 that had beaten Wingate & Finchley at Fetcham Grove a week earlier, with the surprise inclusion of midfielder Vas Karagiannis in the squad following a brief spell at Conference South side Hayes & Yeading.
High-flying Margate dominated the opening exchanges - Tanners’ keeper Louis Wells bravely deflected Kane Wills’ shot behind for a corner before a Lewis Taylor effort was turned away for another corner.
Jamie Taylor, who started the season at Conference South Sutton United, should have given Margate the lead after 15 minutes, as he rose unchallenged in Leatherhead’s penalty area before heading wide from close range.
Leatherhead’s best chance came after 22 minutes when Stacy Long drilled a probing cross into Margate’s box from the left and Ryan Cooper scooped his shot over the top from close range.
Another good chance came and went for the hosts after 25 minutes, as former AFC Wimbledon favourite Luke Moore latched onto a long ball through the middle before firing wide from the edge of the box.
The goal that was to ultimately settle it came after half an hour’s play.
The Tanners’ defence failed to pick up Lewis Taylor on their left, as the Margate midfielder closed in on Moore’s delivery to thump the ball past Wells from 18 yards.
Tanners fought back and had their best spell of the match in the closing minutes of the opening half.
Long curled a dipping shot narrowly over the bar after 38 minutes, and a couple of minutes later Adam Green’s blistering shot flew just over the top before another good passage of play ended with Long’s 20 yard drive safely gathered by Margate keeper Nikki Bull.
Margate missed a good opportunity to add to their lead after 77 minutes, with Charlie Wassmer’s powerful header going straight to Wells.
Richard Avery missed a difficult chance for the visitors late in the match - receiving the ball with his back to goal, Leatherhead’s captain turned quickly to fire just over the bar from the edge of the area.
Tanners travel to Canvey Island on Saturday for an FA Trophy first qualifying round tie, kick-off is at 3pm.
Leatherhead: Louis Wells, Ryan Cooper, Adam Green, Richard Avery, Joe Bruce, Jerry Nnamani, Becka Kah Dembele (Vas Karagiannis 50), Paul Semakula, Carl Rook (Mark Nwokeji 87), Stacy Long, Ryan Dolby (Ryan Mahal 85).
Unused subs: Bode Anidugbe, Richard Brady.
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