Haringey Borough (H) - 19th March 2022

Margate welcome Haringey Borough to Hartsdown Park as they look to bounce back from two away defeats in the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday afternoon.

Defeats away at Worthing and Potters Bar Town saw the ‘Gate slip to ten points off the play-off places in the league standings, however their home form has been impressive having not lost at Hartsdown Park since the 15th January, when they were beaten 3-0 by Hornchurch.

The ‘Gate continue to struggle with injuries after Joe Anderson, Lewis Knight and James Bessey-Saldanha all missed Tuesday nights defeat, although there is hope that some may return in time for Saturday.

Captain Ben Swift will start his three game ban after being red carded at Worthing last weekend.

Haringey head into this fixture on the back of some indifferent form. They progressed in the Velocity Trophy on Thursday evening to set up a tie against the Blues next Tuesday, as well as exited the London Senior Cup this week, after a 1-0 away loss at Hendon.

League form has also been indifferent for the ‘Boro having beaten Cray Wanderers and drawn with Lewes recently, however a heavy 6-0 loss against Bishops Stortford and a 1-0 loss to Potters Bar sees the London side sitting 15th in the league standings.

The reverse fixture earlier this season saw the hosts that day equalise in the 94th minute in a thrilling 2-2 draw, after Margate had taken a 93rd minute lead.

The last time these two sides met at Hartsdown Park was January 2020, as Margate ran out 4-2 winners in a six goal thriller. Goals that day from Ben Swift, Kadell Daniel, Elliott Reeves and Kieron Monlouis sealed the three points for the Blues.

Kick-off at Hartsdown Park is 3pm, but as always if you can’t join us then you can stay right up to date at our official Twitter feed @margate_fc from 2:30pm.

'Gate Continue Fine Home Form

Margate continued their fine home form at Hartsdown Park as they overcome Haringey Borough 3-1 in the Isthmian Premier Division on Saturday afternoon.

With no Lewis Knight and Joe Anderson through injury, and Ben Swift through suspension, Jay Saunders was forced to name a young back-four, as well birthday boy George Lamb at just 18 years old in Midfield.

The ‘Gate were able to welcome back James Bessey-Saldanha who started lively, however it was the visitors that stunned the home crowd in just the 5th minute as the young back-four failed to clear an attempt, before it fell to Osanebi Okoh to calmly slot the visitors in front.

Margate haven’t lost at Hartsdown Park since January 15th when they were defeated by Hornchurch, and despite falling behind, they soon found their stride with Ben Greenhalgh forcing Alexander Zamani in the Haringey goal into a save.

The Blues felt aggrieved not to have been awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute as the ball fell to Fyn Rutherford whose quick feet saw him get brought down, however the referee waived play on. It was Rutherford who forced the next chance too as he drove at the Haringey defence, only to see his effort go narrowly wide.

Margate were building momentum and taking the game to the visitors as Ken Feyi saw his header go wide from an excellent Greenhalgh cross. It was them two that linked up shortly after for the Margate leveller as Greenhalgh found Feyi, who this time headed the ball with precision into the back of the net.

The hosts were buoyed by their equaliser before the break, and almost took the lead four minutes into the second half as Bessey-Saldanha fired a shot away, which was stopped just before the line.

Saunders introduced new signing Louis Collins in the 61st minute, and it took the new ‘Gate striker just eight minutes to get involved as he was hauled down in the box, allowing Greenhalgh to tuck away a penalty from 12 yards to give the ‘Gate the advantage.

A few bookings for both sides and substitutions appeared to have slowed the game down. Other than a half chance from Hassan Nalbant, which Ben Bridle-Card saved pretty comfortably, there was only time left for the Blues to extend their advantage.

The impressive Harrison Hatfull who again impressed at right-back raced down the right and crossed towards Benas Vaivada who calmly took the ball under his control before extending Margate’s lead and sealing the three points.

These two sides meet again on Tuesday evening at Coles Park in the Semi-Final of the Velocity Trophy.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Nzinga, Lamb, Lema, Odaudu, Bessey-Saldanha, Blackman (Agyemang 64’), Feyi (Collins 61’), Rutherford (Vaivada 74’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Colmer, Soyemi-Ololade

Margate Goalscorer’s

Ken Feyi 35’

Ben Greenhalgh (69’ Pen)

Benas Vaivada 88’

Margate Man of the Match

George Lamb

Attendance

525