Chatham Town (H) 17th October 2023

After a month’s worth of away games, Margate are FINALLY back at home as we take on Chatham Town in matchday eight of the league season on Tuesday evening.

The ‘Gate will look to bounce back after stumbling at the final qualifying round of the FA Trophy as we travelled to Harrow Borough last Saturday and lost 1-0. You can read the match report by clicking here. 

Manager Reece Prestedge was interviewed after the game, watch the full post-match reaction from the gaffer by clicking here.

SEASON’S SO FAR

The visitors are sat in 2nd place on 20 points after nine games with six wins (1-0 vs Bognor Regis, 2-3 vs Folkestone Invicta, 1-2 vs Cheshunt, 2-0 vs Potters Bar, 2-5 vs Dulwich Hamlet, and 3-0 vs Lewes), two draws (0-0 vs Potters Bar away, and 2-2 vs Carshalton at home) and one loss against Cray Wanderers (1-5). They have scored 19 goals and conceded twelve giving them a goal difference of +7.

The ’Gate are sat in a lowly 16th place on nine points, although, we have only played seven games after a run of cup fixtures recently. Our three wins came against Whitehawk at home (2-1), Concord away (1-2) and Potters Bar at home (2-1) with our four losses being against Hornchurch (4-1), Cheshunt (1-2), Folkestone Invicta (2-0), and Canvey Island (4-1). We have scored nine goals and conceded 15 giving us a goal difference of -6.

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

Win vs Folkestone Invicta, away (1-3) FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Loss vs Canvey Island, away (4-1) League

Loss vs Hythe Town, away (2-1) Kent Senior Cup 1st Round

Loss vs Chesham United, away (2-0) FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round

Loss vs Harrow Borough, away (1-0) FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

LAST FIVE: CHATHAM TOWN

Win vs Folkestone Invicta, away (0-5) Kent Senior Cup 1st Round

Draw vs Potters Bar, away (0-0) League

Win vs Lewes, home (3-0) League

Win vs Heybridge Swifts, away (1-2) FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

Draw vs Carshalton Athletic, home (2-2) League

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The last, and only meeting between the two teams in ten years was in the Kent Senior Cup Final which saw the ‘Gate triumph over their Kent Rivals on penalties (5-4) after the game ended 1-1. You can re-live our cup win by watching the highlights on Gatetv, by clicking here. 

MATCH OFFICIALS

The man in the middle for this Kent derby is Kane Dempster and he will be assisted by Luke Morley and Nik Garside.

Not able to make this Tuesday night fixture? Stay up to date by following our official X account @Margate_fc for live updates from 7:15pm!

Tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking here.

Brilliant Blues Earn Chatham Win

By David Hansen

After a month away, Margate returned to Hartsdown Park and marked the return with a fantastic 2-0 win over Chatham Town in the Isthmian Premier League under the lights.

The ‘Gate were last in action at Hartsdown Park on the 16th of September against Folkestone Invicta in the FA Cup and since then have been on the road in 4 different competitions. This game came after Margate suffering four consecutive defeats and needing a big result back at home.

Margate set their stool out immediately after a crunching tackle from Harry Hudson in the first three minutes really set the tone for what was going to be a superb game.

The 1st chance fell to Chatham, with the wind being a real factor during the game goalkeeper Harry Seaden was almost caught off guard early as a long shot from Chatham almost dipped under the bar but thankfully went just over.

It would be Margate who would have the 1st huge chance as a lovely looking cross form full-back Harrison Hatfull found striker Steve Cawley at the back post but from point blank range could only place his shot onto the post and Chatham were able to clear their lines.

The rest of the 1st half was a very tactical affair with neither side really threatening the oppositions' goal with the best of the play coming from a Ben Greenhalgh free-kick which was just over the bar.

In the 35th minute Harry Hudson had a back pass which sold Harry Seaden short which allowed Chatham top scorer Jamie Yila to take the ball around Harry Seaden but his touch wasn’t good, and the ball went out for a goal kick. A real heart in mouth moment for the home fans.

The final flash point of the half happened fivr minutes before the break as captain Sam Blackman seemed to be caught while on the ground which in-censed the Margate players who wanted the Chatham captain gone. After the referee had time to deal with the issue the yellow card was brandished to Jack Evans to complete the first half and leave the score at 0-0.

After the resumption the wind levels had picked up making it very difficult for both keepers who would have to be switched on. This was compounded in the 56th minute as a ball came towards Chatham keeper and former Blue Ben Bridle-Card, which was taken well but almost carried over the line.

Minutes later it would be Harry Seaden who would make some quality saves as he denied a shot low into the corner following a Chatham break and tipping the ball over from a long range shot from Ben Allen to keep the clean sheet intact.

Margate would take the lead in the 72nd Minute with a goal summing up Ben Greenhalgh to a tee. Greenhalgh spotted Bridle-Card off his line from inside his own half and his shot was tipped onto the bar but had been judged to have crossed the line, sending the home fans into a frenzy and make it 1-0 to the ‘Gate, I'm sure nothing could top that......

Chatham were really pushing to get an equaliser which led to some fantastic heroic defending from Margate as a corner dropped into the box and on several occasions shots from Chatham were blocked and the ball was eventually cleared, Margate really wanted their 1st clean sheet of the season.

The hosts would double their lead with a spectacular piece of skill from Steve Cawley as he brought down a long ball and unleashed a brilliant strike on the half volley into the top corner from 25 yards out seemingly killing the game off and securing the 3 points Margate really needed.

After five minutes of added time the full-time whistle went, and Margate ended their run of four consecutive defeats. The fans were jubilant at the end, with lovely scenes between players and supporters.

Margate are back at Hartsdown Park on Saturday where they take on social media sensations Hashtag United in the Isthmian Premier League.

A mention to the players making their home debuts for the club in Godfrey Poku, Rohdell Gordon, Olly Box and a return to the club for Lewis Knight.

Lineup:

Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Poku, Sterling, Hudson, Blackman ©, Cawley (Box 88’), Greenhalgh, Gordon, Knight

Subs:

Vasiliou, Rutherford, Duncanson, Box, Sutcliffe

Goals:

Greenhalgh x1

Cawley x1

MOTM:

Steve Cawley

Attendance:

408