U’s on slide after latest loss

United have fallen to fifth-bottom of the Ryman Football League Premier Division - just three points above fourth-bottom Leatherhead having played two more matches - after a third straight defeat.

The U’s got off to the worst possible start when Kwesi Appiah put Margate ahead inside three minutes and the same player made it 2-0 just four minutes later.

Jordan Woodley struck a post as United started to get a foothold in the match and the visitors halved their deficit on the hour when Zac Attwood, pictured, headed in a Danny Ellis cross.

Appiah restored Margate’s two-goal cushion by completing his hat-trick shortly afterwards, however, and Tom Bradbrook put the outcome beyond doubt with a fourth goal for the Kent side on 72 minutes.

United: Armstrong-Ford, Dixon, Sutton, Carey, Manning, Jirbandey, Ellis, Crellin, Pogue, Attwood, Woodley. Subs: Gonsalves, Barham, Davidson, Ray.

Standings (played-points): 1 Billericay Town 24-49, 2 Lowestoft Town 22-48, 3 AFC Hornchurch 23-47, 4 Lewes 24-45, 5 Metropolitan Police 21-40, 6 Cray Wanderers 25-40, 7 Bury Town 23-37, 8 Hendon 24-37, 9 Margate 22-35, 10 Canvey Island 22-33, 11 Wealdstone 21-32, 12 Kingstonian 23-31, 13 Carshalton Athletic 23-29, 14 Wingate & Finchley 22-27, 15 Concord Rangers 22-25, 16 East Thurrock United 20-24, 17 Harrow Borough 22-23, 18 HASTINGS UNITED 23-23, 19 Leatherhead 21-20, 20 Tooting & Mitcham United 23-19, 21 Aveley 23-16, 22 Horsham 23-10.

TODAY’S OTHER RESULTS

Sussex County League, Division 1: Rye Utd 1 Peacehaven & Telscombe 0; Sidley Utd 1 Ringmer 0.

Division 2: Westfield 2 Little Common 2.