A HARD game at Rookery Hill ended goalless with East Thurrock getting their third league clean sheet of the season.
With chances very sparse at either end, the home defence was well marshalled by strong centre half, Curtis Ujah. In the very first minute Ben Wyss latched onto a header from Olly Miles and saw his effort just fly over the top and then moments later, Miles set up Ashman whose shot was blocked and then Wyss again, shot the rebound wide.
It was 18 minutes before Margate created their first opportunity and that ended when Arthur Janata easily gathered a header from Benas Vaivada.
Ben Swift missed a golden opportunity for the visitors, but his blushes were saved by a late offside flag after 24 minutes.
Joseph Gbode forced a save from Janata after a good slick move from the visitors after 34 minutes. A few minutes later Vaivada headed over Blackman’s cross after the home side failed to clear their lines.
Straight from the restart in the second half, Tom Barton saw his fierce effort gathered by Benjamin Bridle-Card just under the crossbar, then moments later Johnny Ashman saw his effort go across the Margate goal line, with no team mate on hand to poke the ball home.
Ben Swift headed a Ben Greenhalgh corner wide and then Crossley Lema saved Margate with a last-ditch tackle on Miles.
That was about it, although the home side will be more than pleased with keeping a clean sheet,
Team: Janata, Boswell, Morrell (Collins 69), Barton, Ujah, Mitchell-Nelson (Dear 81), Ashman, Spooner, Miles, Hope, Wyss (Carvalho 66).
Subs not used: Dutton, Gordon.
