Hashtag United (H) - 21st October 2023

By Josh Cole

The second home game in a row for the ‘Gate as we welcome Hashtag United to Hartsdown Park for matchday #9 of the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday afternoon.

Margate were winners on Tuesday night as we overcome Chatham Town 2-0 at HDP. Read the full match report by clicking here. 

SEASON’S SO FAR:

After the win on Tuesday, we moved ourselves up to 15th on 12 points from eight games with four wins against Whitehawk (2-1), Concord Rangers (1-2), Potters Bar (2-1) and Chatham Town (2-0), but four losses against Hornchurch (4-1), Cheshunt (1-2), Folkestone Invicta (2-0) and Canvey Island (4-1). We have scored 11 goals but conceded 15 giving us a goal difference of -4. A win tomorrow could see us jump above our opponents, whilst also having a game in hand on the ‘Tags’.

Hashtag United are sat in 11th place on 14 points from nine games with three wins against Concord Rangers (1-4), Wingate & Finchley (2-0), and Carshalton Athletic (0-1), five draws against Dulwich Hamlet away (2-2), Bognor Regis away (0-0), Folkestone Invicta at home (0-0), Kingstonian at home (2-2), and Whitehawk away (1-1), and one loss against Hornchurch (3-0). The ‘Tags’ have scored 12 goals and conceded nine giving them a goal difference of +3.

View the full league table by clicking here. 

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

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

Win vs Chatham Town, home (2-0) League

LAST FIVE: HASHTAG UNITED

Win vs Wingate & Finchley, home (2-0) League

Win vs Carshalton Athletic, away (0-1) League

Loss vs South Park (Reigate), away (2-0) FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

Draw vs Whitehawk, away (1-1) League

Win vs Concord Rangers, Home (2-1) Velocity Trophy 3rd Round

There is no head-to-head record as this is the first ever meeting between the ‘Gate and the Tags.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

The game will be officiated by Aaron Conn (referee) and he will be accompanied by Simon Cutler and Wayne Horsfall.

Not able to get to Hartsdown Park? Follow our official X account @margatefc_ for live match updates from 2:15pm onwards!

You can purchase your ticket for this game by clicking here. 

'Gate Earn Point Against Tags

By Ryan Day 

Margate battled the weather conditions and a spirited Hashtag United side at Hartsdown Park to earn a deserved point on Saturday afternoon.

Manager Reece Prestedge named the same side that beat Chatham Town last Tuesday as the Blues looked to continue on from their victory against the 2nd placed team in the division.

The ‘Gate started strongly with the wind behind them as they forced some early pressure via corner kicks, only for the visiting defence to deal with them relatively easily given the conditions.

With the weather continuing to play a huge part in the game, Margate almost took the lead in the 17th minute of the game as a long ball forward from Harry Hudson swirled in the wind before bouncing over Ted Curd in the visitor’s goal, only to drop inches wide of the post.

Four minutes later, and against the run of play, it was the visitors who took the lead as Misha Djemaili let fly from 20-yards which was well saved by Harry Seaden, however the Tags recycled the ball which allowed Djemaili to work his way into the box and side-foot home the ball for a 1-0 lead.

With Margate surprised by falling behind, the game became scrappy with the elements again having an impact as the half limped towards the break with not much more action, until the 38th minute when the impressive Rohdell Gordon split the visitors defence to find Harrison Hatfull on the right, however his low cross was collected by Curd in the goal.

Margate knew they had it all to do in the second half as they were now attacking into the strong winds, and it was the visitors who looked more lively in the opening stages of the second half as they forced several corners, all of which were dealt with by Seaden.

The ‘Gate thought they were level in the 60th minute as a superb ball in the box by Gordon was superbly headed home by Steve Cawley, only for the assistant referee to have his flag raised and Margate’s celebrations were soon dampened.

With Margate pushing for the leveller, they were leaving space at the back for Hashtag to run into and the ‘Gate had Seaden to thank in the 75th minute as he produced three saves to deny the visitors doubling their lead.

With the clock ticking away Margate’s hopes of a leveller looked to be fading away with five minutes’ additional time added. In the second minute of additional time, Hashtag looked to have put the game to bed as Nigel Aris was one on one with Seaden, however the ‘Gate’s keeper got down well to brilliantly deny the visitors a second which would have killed the game.

Margate would have Seaden to thank just a few moments later as the clock ticked into the 95th minute as Fyn Rutherford swung a high ball into the box which found Cawley who shaped himself well in advance to sensationally volley the ball home to send the home side into a frenzy as Margate rescued a point right at the death.

There was no time for any further action as the ref blew his whistle from kick-off as Margate made it four points in four days.

The Blues return to action on Tuesday night as they welcome Hastings United to Hartsdown Park with kick-off scheduled at 7:45pm

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, PokuSterling, Hudson, Gordon (Rutherford 85’), Blackman, Cawley, Greenhalgh, Knight (Box 80;)

Subs not used; Salmon, Duncanson, Mazzone

Goal(s)

Steve Cawley 90(+5)

Man of the match

Archie Johnson

Attendance

509