Herne Bay (A) - 14th February 2023

Margate make the short trip down the Thanet Way on Tuesday evening as they face Herne Bay in the Isthmian Premier Division.

The ‘Gate will be looking to bounce back from their slender 1-0 defeat against the league leaders Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday, meanwhile the Bay will be looking to build on their 2-1 away win at Brightlingsea Regent.

Manager Reece Prestedge is still without Ade Cole (ankle), whilst there are some doubts over Sam Blackman (calf).

A 4-0 home win at Hartsdown Park back in September will mean the ‘Gate go into this game in confident mood. Prior to Saturday’s defeat, Margate had been in resurgent form having gone four games unbeaten. Tuesday’s hosts themselves have also seen a resurgence having won three out of their last five games.

Margate fans will notice some familiar faces in the Herne Bay squad with Dan Johnson, Marcel Barrington, Connor Dymond, Jack Sammoutis and Troy Howard all now featuring for Herne Bay.

A win for Margate could move them 12 points clear of the Isthmian League drop zone, whereas a win for the hosts would move them to within nine points behind Margate with two games in hand.

Kick-off is 7:45pm, but if you can’t be there then you can stay right up to date on our official Twitter feed @margate_fc from 7:15pm

Ground Address

MBS Stadium

Winch's Field, Stanley Gardens

Herne Bay

Kent

CT6 5SG

Ten Man Margate Earn Point

Margate secured a hard fought 1-1 draw away at Herne Bay on Tuesday evening after being reduced to ten men in the 34th minute.

Margate were without Cameron Brodie, Ade Cole and Sam Blackman, meanwhile Taylor Fisher and James Bessey-Saldanha started as wing backs with Freddy Barton and Harrison Hatfull dropped to the bench.

It looked like a masterstroke bringing Bessey-Saldanha into the starting eleven after just nine minutes as Ben Greenhalgh slipped the ball through to the number ten who was only just beaten to the ball by the on-rushing Harry Brooks in the Herne Bay goal.

Margate had their own keeper to thank moments later as Dan Jinadu produced a double save to keep the scores level. The ‘Gate found themselves under further pressure moments later as Connor Dymond let fly from distance, although his effort continued to rise over the bar.

Herne Bay continued to attack the Blues goal and were rewarded in the 33rd minute as a ball into the box bounced around before being struck home by former ‘Gate defender Dan Johnson to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

It was turning out to be a nightmare Valentine’s evening for the ‘Gate as Emmanuel Oke was shown a straight red card for a challenge on a Herne Bay player, even though it appeared the midfielder had won the ball. Despite being a goal and a man down, the Blues almost levelled five minutes before the break as Peter Ojemen saw his header thunder off the crossbar.

Prestedge turned to his bench at the break with the introduction of Ade Cole in place of Matty Macarthur, however it was the hosts who continued to pepper the ‘Gate goal with half chances.

Despite the disadvantage, Margate found the equaliser in the 67th minute as Nathan Wood unleashed an incredible strike after picking the ball up in his own half before letting fly past the hapless Brooks.

Margate continued to defend their goal heroically with some great defending, and they almost snatched it in the 93rd minute as a delightful ball in from Greenhalgh missed the back post by inches as Margate almost grabbed all three points.

With 95 minutes on the clock the game ended in controversy as the hosts smashed the ball home after some confusion between Jinadu and Sinn’kaye Christie, however the Blues blushes were spared as the linesman’s flag ruled offside as the game finished level.

MARGATE Xl: Jinadu, Fisher Christie, Hudson, Bessey-Saldanha, Roberts (Smith 78’), Greenhalgh, Macarthur (Cole 45’), Ojemen, Oke, Wood

Subs not used: Hatfull, Barton, Knott

Margate Goalscorer

Nathan Wood 67’

Margate Man of the Match

Nathan Wood

Attendance

507