Folkestone Invicta (H) - 10th April 2023

Article by Josh Cole

Easter Monday brings the visit of fellow Kent outfit Folkestone Invicta to Hartsdown Park for the final Kent Derby of the season.

The ‘Gate suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Haringey Borough on Good Friday conceding a 92nd minute goal scored by substitute Sam Owusu. However, despite this result against Haringey, Margate’s stay in the Isthmian Premier Division for next season was mathematically confirmed after Bowers & Pitsea lost 4-0 at home to Bognor Regis. Folkestone, on the other hand, drew 0-0 with Carshalton Athletic in their match on Good Friday.

Two positives to take from the game on Good Friday was that we welcomed back Harry Hudson and Harrison Hatfull back from injury! Ade Cole is also available for the game against Folkestone with Roberts and Fisher still being ruled out injured.

The ‘Gate and Invicta have played 12 times since October 2013 with Margate winning four, Folkestone winning five and three games ending level. The last time we faced Folkestone earlier in the season was on January 2nd where unfortunately we were beaten 4-0 at The BuildKent Stadium. We also faced each other in the Velocity Cup fourth round on Tuesday 22nd November, where we came out 1-0 winners at Hartsdown Park thanks to a goal in the 27th minute from James Bessey-Saldanha.

The Invicta have struggled in their last five matches losing four games to Aveley (2-1), Lewes (1-2), Bowers & Pitsea (3-1), and Kingstonian (1-3) but last time out they stopped the losing streak by drawing 0-0 with Carshalton. The ‘Gate have had slightly better results than their opposition, losing three games to Bognor (1-0), Aveley (0-1), and Haringey (1-0) but two good results against Lewes (2-2) and Hornchuch (2-3).

Not with us at Hartsdown Park for the final Kent Derby? Then head over to our official twitter @margatefc_ for live match updates commencing 2:15pm onwards and keep up to date with what’s happening.

Blues Suffer Invicta Defeat

Margate slipped to a second Bank Holiday defeat on Monday afternoon as they were beaten 1-0 by Kent rivals Folkestone Invicta at Hartsdown Park.

Manager Reece Prestedge recalled Ade Cole to the bench after his back injury, whilst defender Harry Hudson returned to the side after recovering from an ankle injury.

It was the visitors who started stronger with former ‘Gate striker Louis Collins wasting a good opportunity after just three minutes. Folkestone looked intent on scoring early, and they got the breakthrough on 12 minutes as a corner eventually fell to the feet of Ibrahim Olutade who impressively bicycle-kicked the visitors into the lead.

Folkestone continued to pepper the Blues goal with half chances as Collins and Ira Jackson were denied by Daniel Jinadu. Folkestone continued to impress as Olutade almost sensationally smashed home a second which went inches wide as Margate struggled to deal with the attacking threat of the visitors.

It was all Folkestone and they should have been two ahead in the dying minutes of the first half as Collins again was denied spectacularly by Jinadu as the visitors somehow only took a one goal lead in at half-time.

Thankfully, Margate started the second 45 in much better form, and they should have been level in the 59th minute as Joe Coleman made a huge save against Ruben Soares-Junior from six yards out. Soares-Junior looked most likely to make something happen as he again saw a fierce effort go inches wide.

Margate were inches from levelling in the 72nd minute as a cross from Soares-Junior was headed onto the bar by Folkestone defender Nathan Green before the visitors scrambled the ball away to safety.

Despite continuing to push forward, Margate couldn’t find a leveller, however in the 94th minute a goal line scramble looked destined to bring the sides level, however it appeared a hand was used on the line to deny the ball going into the net, however the referee blew for full time instead of awarding the ‘Gate a penalty.

Margate return to action this Saturday as they face their final away league game at Billericay Town, with kick-off at 3pm.

MARGATE: Jinadu, Hatfull, Kasim, Christie, Hudson, Wood, Greenhalgh, Barton, Oke (Cole 65’), Smith (Parkinson 85’)

Subs not used: McCarthy, Marsh, Young

Margate Man of the Match

Ruben Soares-Junior

Attendance

464