Concord Rangers 2–1 Margate

From the Aspect Arena

National League South

 

CONCORD Rangers returned to winning ways with a narrow victory over a plucky Margate side.

Goals from James White and Steve Cawley were enough for the hosts in what was a much-needed three points for home manager Adam Flanagan.

Concord needed to stop the rot after four consecutive defeats in the league, while Margate were another team in transition having been promoted from the Ryman Premier League last season.

The Beach Boys welcomed back midfield lynchpin Max Cornhill for the encounter but it was his partner in the middle who struck a telling chord early on.

James White blasted home a header from a Ben Greenhalgh delivery against the run of play to send the home fans into raptures.

But Concord goalkeeper Ben McNamara had been the busier goalkeeper, forced into a number of fine early saves as he searched for his first clean sheet since his move from Hendon.

In the second-half, Concord again looked shaky at the back with McNamara punching onto his own post in what was a lucky escape for the hosts.

However, the equaliser was not long in coming and it was a strike worth waiting for – Sol Taiwo hitting home a fine free-kick midway through the half.

But Concord’s best spell of the match followed as first Steve King and then White came close, with the skipper’s effort cleared off the goal line.

However, Margate were still threatening with former Grays Athletic striker Freddie Ladapo kept at bay thanks to a fine stop from McNamara.

By this point Cawley had entered the fray and he had the last laugh as he picked up a through ball from Greenhalgh with 10 minutes to go and slotted home for his first goal since the opening day of the season.

 

Concord Rangers: McNamara, Walker, Lee, Cornhill, King, Wood, Greenhalgh (Doyle), White, Gardner (Morrison-Derbyshire), Brayley (Cawley), Taaffe