Lewes (H) - 1st April 2023

By Josh Cole

Margate return to Hartsdown Park as they begin the final month of the 2022/23 Isthmian Premier League season with the visit of play-off chasing Lewes.

Margate shocked the league leaders by performing an incredible comeback from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 away at Hornchurch. A header from Sam Blackman opened the scoring for the ‘Gate in the 50th minute before two fantastic strikes from Ben Greenhalgh in the 64th and 85th minute respectively, completed the comeback. That victory put the Blues 12 points clear of the drop zone, a crucial gap with only five games remaining.

Lewes are chasing a play-off place as they sit 7th, four points off Enfield, who occupy that crucial final play-off place. Lewes were able to put pressure on Enfield as they beat Potters Bar 2-1 at The Dripping Pan last time out, however Enfield maintained the four-point gap with a vital away win at Herne Bay.

Margate are likely to still be without Defender Harry Hudson who continues to recover from a swollen ankle, whilst Ade Cole continues to struggle with a back injury. Manager Reece Prestedge may be able to welcome back Taylor Fisher to the squad as he continues to recover from injury. Harrison Hatfull continues to be missing with cracked ribs sustained in the 1-0 home defeat to Aveley.

The ‘Gate have played the Rooks 13 times since October 2012 with the ‘Gate winning three, the Rooks winning seven and three ending in draws. In recent history, Lewes have the upper hand, as Margate haven’t beaten their counterparts since August 2019, a four-game winning streak including the last time Lewes visited Hartsdown Park, ending in a 6-2 victory for the visitors on the 9th October 2021.

Earlier this season, the ‘Gate travelled to The Dripping Pan but were sent back to CT9 with zero points after Lewes won 2-0 with goals from Coleman (29th minute), and former Margate striker Joe Taylor (90th minute).

Margate’s last five matches include two wins against Potters Bar (0-1), and Hornchurch (2-3) but three losses in between the two victories at the hands of Canvey Island (5-2), Bognor (1-0), and Aveley (0-1). The visitors come to Hartsdown Park in fine form, winning four out of their last five matches against Enfield (1-0), Brightlingsea (2-0), Folkestone (1-2) and Potters Bar (2-1), however they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Canvey Island.

If you can’t make it to Hartsdown Park, then don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Head over to our official Twitter @margatefc_ for match updates live from 2:15pm onwards!

Blues Earn Point In Four Goal Thriller

Margate took a giant step towards Isthmian Premier League safety on Saturday afternoon with a spirited 2-2 draw against play-off chasing Lewes at Hartsdown Park.

Manager Reece Prestedge named the same starting eleven that incredibly fought back from 2-0 down at half-time to win 3-2 away at then league leaders Hornchurch, which meant a 100th appearance in blue for both Ben Greenhalgh and Sam Blackman.

Margate got off to a flyer as the two centurions linked up to give the ‘Gate a 1-0 lead within three minutes. A beautiful free-kick from Greenhalgh found Blackman who headed the Blues into an early lead within the opening three minutes.

Margate’s lead was only to last 13 minutes though as a through ball to Tyrique Hyde was collected before smashing the ball low past Daniel Jinadu as the game started with a high tempo.

Within five minutes, Margate were back in front as a goal mouth scramble ensued which saw Ruben Soares-Junior slam the ball home to restore the Blues lead in a frantic start to the afternoon at Hartsdown Park.

A fourth goal of the game was to be scored in the 36th minute as former Margate striker Joe Taylor superbly flicked the visitors level at 2-2.

Margate lost striker Phil Roberts to injury early in the second half, meaning the introduction of Harvey Smith, however it was Margate’s former striker Taylor who looked likely to score next as he saw a low shot go narrowly wide as Lewes looked to take the lead.

With 20 minutes remaining Margate almost re-took the lead as Greenhalgh superbly slipped the ball through to Smith whose delicate chip was saved tremendously by Lewis Carey to keep the scores level. It looked like the Blues were most likely to score next as Soares-Junior and Nathan Wood saw efforts go narrowly over as Margate looked to mathematically make themselves safe from the drop by winning.

Neither side was able to grab the fifth and final goal that would have secured the three points as each side took a point each, which leaves the Blues eleven points clear from the bottom four with just four games remaining in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Margate return to action on Good Friday as they make the trip to North London to face Haringey Borough, kick-off is 3pm.

MARGATE Xl: Jinadu, Kasim, Christie, Blackman, Roberts (Smith 50’), Wood, Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen, Oke, Soares-Junior (Rutherford 82’).

Subs not used: McCarthy, Sutcliffe, Young

Margate Goalscorer’s

Sam Blackman 3’

Ruben Soares-Junior 26’

Margate Man of the Match

Nathan Wood

Attendance

559