Brown Reflects On Leatherhead Point

Margate Joint Manager Steve Brown lamented his side’s first-half display as they fought from a goal down to draw 1-1 against Leatherhead on Saturday afternoon.

Reflecting on the 90 minutes, Brown said:

“It was a game of two halves. I thought we were dreadful first half, battling against the wind, I don’t think we got into the match at all. We didn’t turn their back four around, didn’t sustain any pressure in their half and we deservedly went in one nil down.”

“We had a chat at half time, spoke about what we wanted, and I guess the positive way to look at the second half is that we did get the goal back, we did improve, and we did ask more questions of Leatherhead.”

“After 45 minutes of an abject performance we did at least come back and get a point.”

Brown admitted The Gate’s lack of attacking action was the main point of discussion during the half-time team talk.

“We needed to get more players in their half to retain possession and at least ask questions of their goalkeeper and back four, and we did that better.”

Assessing a week that included three tough fixtures and collection of two Bostik League points, Brown said;

“We played Haringey and Lewes away and then Leatherhead at home and we’ve only conceded two goals - both from set pieces - but we’ve only scored one and that is kind of reflective of our squad.”

“Our goalkeeper and back four has remained the same pretty much throughout and made us stable but in front of that unfortunately we have to keep swapping and changing and making adjustments.”

“It was a blow to lose Frannie and Flish on Wednesday night, but it is how it is. I can’t keep saying we’ve got a paper-thin squad and I can’t keep saying we’ve got a lot of youngsters playing, it is what we’ve got, and we have to ask those players to perform for us whenever we play matches.”

“I thought considering it was a tough game mid-week and the changes we had to make, it was no surprise that we were a little disjointed first 45 but we came back second 45.”

The squad were brought in on Monday evening to analyse Saturday’s performance with the Margate management as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to Enfield.

“It’s another tough trip amongst a run against decent teams. We have Dorking coming up who are a good side, Kingstonian coming up and we’ve just played top and third so it’s a hard run of fixtures.”

“As a team all you can keep doing – and I know it’s repetitive and boring - is get back on the training ground, work as hard as we can, iron out the things that haven’t worked so well and improve for the game after.”

“It would be nice to get 14/15 players fit for a consistent period to have some strength and depth, we haven’t really had that since before Christmas and I think if I’m honest that has had an impact. If you have no competition for places, you can’t put players under pressure for their places.”

Whilst the extent of the injuries sustained from last week are still being assessed, Brown will be able to welcome an extra body as he revealed the search to bring in additions never stops.

“Joseph – who came on for the final 30 minutes against Haringey – unfortunately within that deal we understood he had to go to Israel with Palace but he’s back now so he will be an attacking option for us.”

“It is too soon to say about Flish and Frannie as we’re not yet in a position to know how long they are going to be out. We are going to assess that as the week goes on.”

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