Margate v Corinthian Casuals

Margate welcome newly promoted Corinthian Casuals to Hartsdown Park on Saturday as they kick-start their Bostik Premier league campaign, looking to build on last season’s impressive 7th finish after they missed out on the play-offs by just two points.

There have been several changes over the summer at Hartsdown Park including the departure of former ‘Gate boss Steve Watt who has returned to Maidstone United as Assistant Manager, meaning the Blues have a new management duo in place in Mike Sandmann and Steve Brown.

Player changes have included the arrival of former Dartford talisman Alex Brown in Midfield as well as former Folkestone Invicta Striker Joe Taylor who has arrived having fired Invicta to the play-offs last season.

Corinthian will play their first game at this level after winning promotion last season via the Bostik South play-offs despite losing the final to Walton Casuals on penalties, however due to the league re-structure by the FA the Casuals were promoted to the Isthmian Premier League for the 2018/19 season as best third place finishers.

These two sides last met during the 2017/18 season as they faced each other at Hartsdown Park in the Velocity Trophy with the visitors progressing thanks to a penalty shoot-out win. Injury to both keepers that night saw Margate field centre-half Tom Wynter in goal for the full 90 minutes and penalty shoot-out.

This time around Margate will definitely be without Alex Flisher after he suffered a freak injury in the Blues 5-0 win over Canterbury City during pre-season which rules him out for six weeks, whilst centre-half Ben Swift will also be missing as he serves the final game of his three game ban from last season.

Kick-off at Hartsdown Park is 3pm but don’t forget you can watch a double header of football as Margate Sports face Faversham Town in their latest pre-season fixture ahead of their debut season at Hartsdown Park.

Kick off for the Sports game is 12pm which will be followed by the ‘Gate’s league opener.

You can watch both games for the incredible price of £10 for adults, £8 concession and £5 young persons with all U11's gaining free entry when accompanied by a paying adult. 

Remember you can buy your tickets in advance on-line this season here.

Season Tickets can also still be snapped up here.

Gate Off To Flyer

Margate FC started their season in style courtesy of a prolific opening 45 minutes proving enough to seal three points over Corinthian Casuals at Hartsdown Park.

A new-look side took to the field for the first time under the management of duo Steve Brown and Mike Sandmann and made their intentions known with an electric first-half display.

The hosts got off to a flying start within the opening quarter, new-signing Baselle Aristride producing a galloping run down the left-hand side before rifling the ball into the back of the net.

A few minutes later The Gate doubled their lead courtesy of centre-back Tom Wynter, who was in the right place at the right time to nod home a perfectly placed glancing ball from captain Liam Friend.

Free flowing football from the boys in blue dictated the tempo over the game, enjoying time and capitalising of space, Margate were able to carve out several opportunities given their opponents a testing introduction into a new-look Bostik League Premier Division.

Mid-way through the half, midfielder Alex Brown produced a magic moment for the 500 strong Hartsdown crowd, letting loose from 25 yards to find the top right-hand corner with a sublime shot.

Not content enough, Brown bagged a brace just minutes later. An equally delightful effort from long-range, put Margate 4-0 up. 

Buoyant with confidence, The Gate made it five before the break. A somewhat familiar scene for Gate supporters, with Frannie Collin stepping up to capitalise upon a free-kick opportunity to find the bottom corner.  

After the break, the visitors had far greater say. Enjoying more possession, Corinthian drew together a string of attacking moves, but it was Margate who could have gone further ahead.

A mazy run from Chris Barnard who showed quick feet to leave the visitors’ defence in a tizzy was denied by a fingertip save.

Corinthians had opportunity to draw level, Gate keeper Henry Newcombe alert to any threat, the best opportunity for the newly-promoted side came when James Rogers was adjudged to have tripped tugged at his opponent in the box.

A penalty and yellow card subsequently branded and it was down to Warren Mfula to step up and convert. Fortunately for The Gate his attempt blazed over the crossbar and Margate were spared, albeit temporarily.

As just moments later, Mfula corrected his earlier miss grabbing a consolation with a well taken goal.

Gil Carvalho poked home from a corner late on to make it 5-2 and conclude an epic afternoon full of goals down besides the seaside.

The Gate's attentions now turn to a mid-week trip to Dorking Wanderers. 

Margate FC: Newcombe, Paxman, Mills, Rogers, Friend (C), Wynter, Brown (Wratten), Barnard (Boateng), Taylor, Collin (Prescott), Aristride

Boulding, Fitchett

Attendance: 510