Margate v Merstham (Bostik Premier)

Margate welcome Merstham to Hartsdown Park tonight (Tuesday) looking to bounce back from Saturdays FA Cup defeat to Leatherhead.

?Manager Steve Watt admitted he was “Gutted” on Saturday and will look for a response from his side as they look to climb to 8th in the Bostik Premier League standings.

Merstham who currently sit 16th in the table arrive at Hartsdown Park on the back of a late 3-2 defeat at Wingate & Finchley on Saturday in the league.

Manager Watt could be able to call upon Jay May tonight whilst Harry Stannard could feature after netting the Blues only goal in Saturday’s defeat. Doubts remain over Jordan Chiedozie and Frannie Collin who failed a last minute fitness test on Saturday after aggravating a groin injury in the ‘Gate’s loss at Enfield ten days ago.

This will be the first league meetings between these two sides however on current form Margate will take note that tonight’s visitors have won away from home for four games whilst the Blues are undefeated in the their previous four home league games.

The Blues will also have to be wary of Merstham striker Ryan Hall who has netted seven times already this season. Hall who includes Southend United, Leeds United, QPR and Rotherham amongst his former employees has scored three from open play and four penalties so far this campaign.

Kick off at Hartsdown Park is 7:45pm but as always if you can’t be there then you can stay right up to date on the clubs official Twitter feed @margate_fc from 7pm.

Merstham Inflict First League Home Defeat

Margate suffered a third defeat in the row as they were defeated by 2-0 at Hartsdown Park by Merstham in the Bostik Premier League.

?The Blues welcomed back Jay May to the team after his injury and he partnered Jordan Chiedozie in attack while Harry Stannard started on the left in place of Orlando Smith who dropped to the bench.

The Blues almost took the lead within thirty seconds after some neat play saw the ball fall to Jack Evans who saw his low driven shot cannon back off the far post as the Gate looked to impose themselves early on Merstham.

Chiedozie was the next to force another effort goalwards but his shot on the turn went wide of the post as Margate looked to continue to dominate proceedings.

The hosts could count themselves lucky to still be level minutes later as Richard Pingling saw his effort cannon down off the bar and bounce on the line before Patrick Lee, deputising for the ill Lenny Pidgeley grabbed the effort before it managed to creep over the bar.

Merstham did find themselves ahead in the 16th minute as Pingling reacted quickest to a poor defensive clearance from a free kick to fire the visitors into a 1-0 lead.

The Blues continued to pressure the visitor’s backline and should have levelled in the 34th minute as Chiedozie saw his effort blocked by Chris Haigh in the Merstham goal before May blasted the rebound over the bar from ten yards out.

Margate had the perfect opportunity to level the scores just minutes into the second half as Chiedozie beat the offside trap only for his effort to be hit down the throat of Haigh who easily collected.

Margate continued to push for the leveller as Chiedozie again curled an effort wide before Liam Friend saw his header from eight yards out drift over the bar.

With time running out for Margate it was the visitors who sealed the points in the 71st minute as substitute Tutu Henriques smashed home a loose ball after the back four failed to deal with an in swinging ball.

The hosts could only create half chances with James Rogers and Henry Ikeije forcing Haigh into easy saves as the Blues lost for the first time in league action at Hartsdown Park this season.

MARGATE: Lee, Sessegnon, Mills, Rogers, Friend, Wynter, Stannard (Smith 68’), Evans, May, Chiedozie (Ikeije 86’), Martin

Subs Not Used: Swift, Prescott, Bodkin

Attendance: 369