Wingate & Finchley (A) - 12th November 2022

Margate head to North London to face Wingate & Finchley in the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday afternoon looking to make it three wins in a row in all competitions.

Wins over Bognor Regis in the league and Chichester City in the Velocity Trophy mean the ‘Gate head into this game in full confidence, having also kept two clean sheets in a row.

Playing a back three of Ethan Kaiser, Harry Hudson and Peter Ojemen seems to have shored up the blues back-line in the last week, and manager Andy Drury may continue with that set up at Wingate.

Frustratingly for Drury and his side is a reoccurring ankle injury to Troy Howard who returned briefly on Tuesday night and a continuing groin injury to Korrey Henry means they will miss this game, as well as Ashley Nzala who again is required by his parent club Dulwich Hamlet after signing dual registration forms last weekend.

This fixture was the opening day game for the ‘Gate last season after nine long months of COVID delays, and it was a great day for the Blues as they left North London with three opening day points. In fact, the Blues have won their last two visits by a 1-0 margin, having not lost away to Wingate & Finchley since August 2017.

The hosts themselves are enduring a difficult season themselves, however saw a brief bounce back after sacking former manager Marc Weatherstone, however three defeats in a row since back to back wins sees them just three points above the Isthmian Premier League drop zone.

In league action, the hosts have only won once at home this season, beating Brightlingsea Regent 3-0.

Kick-off at the Maurice Rebak Stadium is 3pm, however if you can’t be there then you can stay right up to date on our Twitter feed @margate_fc from 2:30pm

Stadium Address

The Maurice Rebak Stadium

Summers Lane

N12 OPD

Blues Win At Wingate

Margate made it three wins from three in all competitions on Saturday afternoon as they scored a dramatic 93rd minute winner to beat Wingate & Finchley 2-1.

Manager Andy Drury was still without striker Korrey Henry (groin), Troy Howard (ankle) and Ashley Nzala who was required by his parent club Dulwich Hamlet, meaning Ben Greenhalgh and James Bessey-Saldanha were tasked with getting the goals for the Blues.

The Blues started brightly as Cameron Brodie fired a fierce drive over the bar as the ‘Gate looked to start quickly in the strangely warm mid-November sunshine. Despite the relatively positive start, the ‘Gate fell behind on nine minutes as a cross from the left was headed home by Darnell Wynter to give the hosts an unexpected lead.

Margate almost hit back immediately as Brodie found Ade Cole whose rocket of a shot was superbly palmed away for a corner. The ‘Gate were building in confidence and smacked the bar in the 24th minute as a header was tipped onto the bar as they looked to pick it up a notch.

Margate’s attacking options were further reduced in the 38th minute as Bessey-Saldanha went down with an apparent hamstring injury which saw him leave the field in place of Harrison Hatfull.

The ‘Gate were level just minutes before the break as a delightful free-kick from Greenhalgh was eventually bundled home by Harry Hudson to bring the scores level at half-time.

The second-half started well with Margate looking to take advantage of their equaliser before the break with several corners which caused the Wingate back-line problems, however the ‘Gate were unable to force the second goal.

With the clock ticking down into the last 15 minutes, sustained pressure from Margate was creating chances, however there was no luck for the visitors as Hatfull saw his shot well tipped over as Margate grew frustrated.

Just minutes later Margate had hit the bar for a third time as an in-swinging corner from Greenhalgh bounced off a body in the box which crashed against the bar and away to safety.

It looked as if the Blues had lost it in the 90th minute as Wingate forced the ball home with a rare attack forward, however it was adjudged to be with a hand and the goal was chalked off as four minutes were added for additional time.

As the clock ticked into the 94th minute Margate were awarded a free-kick which was struck well by Cole, only to see the effort palmed away for a corner. With just seconds remaining Greenhalgh swung in a wonderful corner which was met by Hudson for his second goal of the day and to send the away side and fans into pandemonium as they secured the three points.

MARGATE: Jinadu, Fisher (Oke 90’), Brodie (Deslandes 64’), Kaiser, Hudson, Cole, Blackman, Bessey-Saldanha (Hatfull 38’), Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen

Subs not used: Marsh

Margate Goalscorer’s

Harry Hudson 42’, 90+3

Margate Man of the Match

Harry Hudson

Attendance

165