Horsham (A) - 21st November 2023

By Josh Cole 

After the loss on Saturday, we are straight back into the thick of it looking to bounce back away to this years’ FA Cup heroes Horsham for matchday #15 on Tuesday evening.

The loss last time out came at the hands of Wingate & Finchley where we lost 1-0 despite hitting the bar twice. You can read the full match report by clicking here. 

OPPONENTS SEASON SO FAR:

Horsham are sat in 10th place on 19 points having only played 11 games due to their magnificent FA cup run which saw them take League One Barnsley to a replay in the first round proper. Horsham started the season with a loss to Hornchurch but then won three games in a row before they tasted defeat again, away to Whitehawk. They then bounced back straight away with a win and a draw but then lost to Wingate & Finchley away from home 2-0. Another two more wins and a loss to Hashtag United being their most recent result in the league has them sat in a very handy position with lots of games in hand on those above them.

You can see how Saturday’s results shifted the Isthmian Premier Division table by clicking here.

LAST FIVE: HORSHAM

Draw vs Barnsley, away (3-3) FA Cup 1st Round Proper

Win vs Chichester City, home (6-0) Sussex County Cup 3rd Round

Loss vs Hashtag United, home (0-2) League

Loss vs Barnsley, home (0-3) FA Cup 1st Round Proper Replay

Win vs Bracknell Town, away (0-3) FA Trophy 2nd Round

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

Loss vs Hastings United, home (1-2) League

Win vs Lewes, home (2-0) League

Draw vs Haringey Borough, home (1-1) League

Draw vs Dulwich Hamlet, away (2-2) League

Loss vs Wingate & Finchley, away (1-0) League

HEAD-TO-HEAD

There are seven previous meetings between the ‘Gate and the Hornets in the last ten years with all of them coming after 2019. Margate have struggled only managing two wins, whilst Horsham have four with one being a draw. The last time we faced Horsham was last season in January where we lost 4-0 away.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Tuesday’s game will be refereed by Jacob Wright, who will be assisted by Darren Cooley and Tazlim Alli.

Can’t make a Tuesday night away day following the ‘Gate? Stay tuned on our official X account @margate_fc from the comfort of your home, pub or wherever you may be as we will bring you live match updates from 7:15!

Stadium Address

The Camping World Community Stadium,

Worthing Rd,

Horsham

RH13 0AD

UP THE ‘GATE

'Gate Suffer Defeat In Sussex

By Riley Finch 

The Gate suffered more late heartbreak this time at the hands of Horsham as an 87th minute goal was enough for all three points to remain at the Camping World Community Stadium.

Daniel Ajakaiye collected the ball as it cannoned off the post to slot past a helpless Harry Seaden in what was the only goal of a tough game.

The late goal was the third suffered in just four matches after conceding late on to Haringey Borough and Dulwich Hamlet.

Before the goal, the Gate seemed to have done enough defensively to earn precious point on the road.

Despite the loss of Tyrone Sterling, the return of Archie Johnson made for a formidable backline as the Hornets struggled to breakthrough for the majority of the game.

That didn’t mean Seaden was able to rest in goal however tipping the ball over the bar from an audacious Hornets effort and rising high to clutch numerous glancing headers from Horhsham’s wicked crosses.

While the Gate struggled to fashion a chance in the first 45 of the game, a brighter second-half presented Margate opportunities to break the deadlock.

Hatfull clipped Steve Cawley through the Hornets defence but the angle too tight to shoot from meant our top gaol scorer was forced to square the ball across the box only for it to escape the foot of a Gate player.

Rhodel Gordon was also unable to get clean contact after finding himself free in the penalty area from Hatfull’s incisive wide pass.

A Hornets defender was just able to throw themselves in the way of Gordon’s shot which looked to have been destined for the back of the net.

Calamity at the back also presented Fyn Rutherford with a chance at goal but he just couldn’t get the ball from under himself and his resulting scuffed shot was gratefully cleared off the line by a defender.

Rutherford found himself in behind again but was seemingly pulled back before he had a chance to bear down on the goalkeeper much to the anger of the Gate fans and players.

The referee was however unfazed.

The late goal was of course gutting for the players and the management team but having suffered through three of them in the past four games, this sting by the Hornets seemed to sink a little deeper.

“We cannot afford to switch off like that, said Reece Prestedge.

We defended well in the game, I’m gutted for them in there but you just can’t switch off like that.”

The returning Archie Johnson also spoke after the game: “It’s really tough to take again.

“We defended well enough to get something out of that game.

“16, 17 games into the season now, the time for patience is over, we just have to be better and put things right.”

Margate have struggled on the road but are given a home boost in our next match against Billericay which should see the return of Sterling who was benched for a knock and hopefully a return to winning ways.

“Sterling has played a lot of games this season, he had a knock, so we chose to rest him. He should be back by Saturday.

“We need to pick ourselves back up. We go again Saturday; we have to put things right”

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Poku, Hudson, Gordon, Blackman, Cawley, Greenhalgh, Rutherford (Roberts 88’), Knight

Subs not used: Sterling, Bowman, Duncanson, Mazzone

Attendance

591