Swift Relief With Victory

He picked up the Player of the Month Award for January before kick-off and the Player of the Match Award afterwards but for Saturday’s match-winner, Ben Swift, the biggest prize of all was three important points in the Bostik League.

Swift’s first-half header proved the difference against play-off hopefuls Brightlingsea Regent, as Margate secured their first victory at Hartsdown Park since December.

Speaking after the game, Swift said:

 “It’s always nice to score – I don’t score very often – but the main thing is to get the three points which have been a long time coming. It’s pleasing to keep the clean sheet too so I’m happy with the day all round.”

It’s two goals in two games for Swift, a young player benefitting from a consistent and solid run in the Margate back line.

“When you score the week before, you get a bit of confidence to think you’re going to score again or put in a good performance but at the end of the day, I’m just glad to get the three points.”

The match also marked Manager Jay Saunders return to HDP as Swift reunites with a coach he has known since playing as a teenager.

“It’s always nice having a manager who knows you well and I’ve played with Jay since I was 15 years old at Maidstone and have spoken to him throughout the years. He is a good manager with plenty of experience and he is a great recruit for the club.”

“It’s always different when a new Gaffer comes in as you have to raise your game as he may bring new bodies. That change can be good or it can be bad and it’s nice to have a positive start.”

“We created so many chances today, on another day we could have won four or five nil but we got the three points and can move forwards. If you do your job right and work hard you’ll get the right results eventually.”

With improved performances in recent weeks and a tough spell of games against the League’s promotion candidates, Swift admitted the squad has enjoyed a revival of self-belief as he looks ahead to another vital week of action in the League.

“It’s a big relief to get the win. It would have been nice to get a few goals to kill the game and take the pressure off but we got there! A point against Tonbridge in the Kent derby was nice although I personally think we deserved a bit more from that but the main thing today was to get three points at home as the fans deserved that.”

“We have got some winnable games coming up, if we play like we did against Brightlingsea Regent and defend how we do. If we begin to tuck away the chances we create, I can see us getting six out of six and push forwards.”

Swift saved his final word for the hundreds of supporters who were there to witness the win and hopes he and his team-mates can carve some more memorable afternoons from now until the end of the season.

“We want to keep supporters happy. We want to keep winning games for them and they deserved that one, it’s been a long time coming.”

“ We appreciate them sticking by us as it has not been a good run in the last few months and I’m really happy we could get the three points for them.”

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