Hastings United (A) - 4th February 2023

Margate make the journey to Sussex once again on Saturday as they face Hastings United in the Isthmian Premier Division.

Reece Prestedge’s side have found some form of late after picking up seven points from a possible nine, the latest three collected after an assured 2-0 win away at Kingstonian on Wednesday night.

Saturdays hosts would label their own recent form as disappointing having only won once in their previous four games which has seen them slip to 13th in the table, just two places, but seven points above the Blues.

These two sides have already met this season at Hartsdown Park shortly before Christmas as Hastings travelled home with all three points after snatching a 2-1 win thanks to a late goal from Ben Pope.

Last time Margate travelled to Sussex to face Hastings it was the Blues that left with the win as they progressed in the FA Cup back in 2016.

Prestedge is unlikely to be able to call upon Sam Blackman or Ade Cole who again look likely to miss the game after both being injured in last Saturday’s win over Wingate & Finchley.

Kick-off at the Pilots Field is 3pm, but as always if you can’t travel to the game then you can stay right up to date on our Twitter feed @margate_fc from 2:30pm.

Ground Address

The Pilot Field

Hastings United Football Club,

Elphinstone Rd,

Hastings 

TN34 2AX

Blues Battle For Point In Hastings

Margate made it four unbeaten in the Isthmian Premier Division as they held on for a 0-0 draw away at Hastings United on Saturday afternoon.

With still no Sam Blackman or Ade Cole in midfield and an injury to Matty Macarthur, Reece Prestedge named the same starting eleven from the 2-0 win at Kingstonian, whilst bringing new signing Sinn’Kaye Christie onto the bench in place of the injured Macarthur.

In grey overcast conditions, supporters of both sides were hoping the football on the pitch would brighten up their day, however it was a drab start with neither side creating many opportunities, although the hosts won the possession battle. It was almost the 39th minute before the hosts had their first real chance as a game of head tennis in the box led to a fierce header goalwards, only for Daniel Jinadu to be alert and catch the ball before it had crossed the line.

Hastings were certainly creating more heading into the break and they almost took in a half-time lead as a free-kick was swung in, but only cleared to Dixon who saw his fierce shot go narrowly over the crossbar as both sides headed in level.

Margate started the second half much brighter after a slight change in formation which saw Christie replace James Bessey-Saldanha as the Blues went three at the back. With a new formation, the Blues almost took the lead instantly in the second half as Ben Greenhalgh swung in a wonderful free-kick which was headed narrowly wide by Peter Ojemen.

Hastings United felt they should have been awarded a penalty for handball in the 60th minute, however the referee waived away the appeals of the hosts as Margate sighed a breath of relief.

Margate breathed a further sigh of relief in the 75th minute as the hosts had the ball in the net, only for the linesman to raise his flag and rule out the effort. The Blues were having to ride a wave of Hastings pressure as Jinadu made a superb save to deny Penn.

Jinadu was again called into action as he made a double save to keep the scores level, just moments before the visitors almost snatched all three points as Phil Roberts saw his effort well saved as the game ended 0-0 and the points shared.

MARGATE Xl: Jinadu, Hatfull (Fisher 73’), Brodie (Smith 80’), Hudson, Roberts, Bessey-Saldanha (Christie 45’), Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen, Oke, Wood

Subs not used: Knott, Sutcliffe

Margate Man of the Match

Peter Ojemen

Attendance

1088