Wingate & Finchley (A) - 18th November 2023

By Josh Cole

After the postponement of Tuesday nights Velocity Trophy fixture, we are back in league action on Saturday as we travel to Wingate & Finchley for matchday #14!

Last Saturday it was more heartbreak for the ‘Gate as we conceded a last gasp equaliser at Champion Hill. Read the match report from that game by clicking here.

Prezza gave his thoughts on the 2-2 draw in south London, and you can watch that video by clicking here. 

OPPONENTS SEASON SO FAR

Wingate have had a much-improved campaign than last, as they sit in 8th place, one point outside of the playoff places. After getting beaten on opening day by Folkestone Invicta, the boys from North London went four games undefeated winning three and drawing one, before they lost to Hornchurch and Hashtag back-to-back. They followed up those losses with three wins on the spin but then lost their next three games until they beat Lewes 1-2 last time out. The Blues’ games are certainly goals galore with Wingate & Finchley conceding the most goals in the league so far with 30 but have also scored 26, putting them 3rd for goals scored.

LAST FIVE: WINGATE & FINCHLEY

Win vs Canvey Island, home (6-2) League

Loss vs Dulwich Hamlet, home (2-3) League

Loss vs Enfield Town, home (1-4) League

Loss vs Cray Wanderers, home (1-3) League

Win vs Lewes, away (1-2) League

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

Draw vs Hashtag United, home (1-1) League

Loss vs Hastings United, home (1-2) League

Win vs Lewes, home (2-0) League

Draw vs Harinegy Borough, home (1-1) League

Draw vs Dulwich Hamlet, away (2-2) League

You can see the full Isthmian Premier Division table by clicking here.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

We have faced Wingate & Finchley a whopping 16 times since the 8th of December 2012 and the haed-to-head record belongs to the ‘Gate as we have eight wins over our opponents, with Wingate winning four, and four games ending in draws. Margate did the double last season with the game at the Maurice Rebak Stadium seeing a 90th minute winner from Harry Hudson secure a 1-2 victory for the ‘Gate! In the reverse fixture at Hartsdown Park, we won 3-1 with goals from Sam Blackman, Ade Cole, and Phil Roberts! You can watch the highlights from our last encounter with Wingate by clicking here. 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Kyfer Mayhew will be the man in the middle for Saturday’s clash, and he will be accompanied by Reece Woodham and Simon Witting.

Not making the journey to North London? Follow our official X account @margate_fc for live match updates commencing from 2:15pm!

STADIUM ADDRESS

THE MAURICE REBAK STADIUM

SUMMERS LANE

LONDON

N12 0PD

UP THE ‘GATE

Blues Suffer Defeat In North London

By Riley Finch

Billy Cracknell’s first-half goal was enough to hand us another defeat on the road in a 1-0 loss to Wingate and Finchley.

Margate came into the match with just four points in five matches away from home and against the league’s then side with the third most goals scored in the league it was going to be a tough task.

Having had so much success with a wing-back formation in the past few games, the loss of left-back Archie Johnson through suspension called for a change of formation.

This meant a return of a back four featuring Harry Hudson out of position at full-back.

The change seemed to have a big impact on the Gate as we struggled to find a foothold in a scrappy first-half.

Despite The Blue Boys having the better of the chances, it looked as though we would go into the second-half level.

One minute into added time however, Cracknell was found in a sea of bodies at the back post to head the home side into the lead.

Margate came out much brighter and much improved in the second-half finally managing to fashion some chances.

We hit the bar twice through Steve Cawley’s volleyed effort and a thunderous strike from substitute Phil Roberts after a darting run from the forward.

Fyn Rutherford also came close as his long range effort on the break almost caught the keeper out, just glancing past the outside of the post.

The home side also had their moments, hitting the post late on through a curled effort and calling Harry Seaden into action to pull off a fantastic save from a header destined for the top corner.

In the end however we just couldn’t find that all important equaliser and the points remained at The Maurice Reback stadium.

“We are disappointed, very poor first-half but came out better in the second-half but nothing came of it”, Rutherford said following the loss.

“We need to start building momentum from results.

“We hold ourselves to a higher level and standard.

“We have a good gaffer and a good bunch of lads, just gotta give it some time.

“Not good enough today but we have the chance Tuesday to put things right.”

The loss, our first in four matches, means we drop to fifteenth but just three points from the top-half of the table and ninth place.

We find ourselves on the road again in our next match against Horsham as we look to bounce back from a disappointing defeat.

Margate Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Poku, Sterling, Hudson, Gordon (Roberts 72’), Blackman, Cawley, Greenhalgh, Rutherford, Knight

Subs not used: Hobbs, Bowman, Duncanson, Mazzone

Attendance

153