Cray Wanderers (A) - 29th August 2022
By Josh Cole
The ‘Gate will travel to take on Cray Wanderers in a Bank Holiday Monday fixture at Hayes Lane where they ground-share with Bromley FC.
Last time out, Margate shared the points with Horsham FC in an evenly contested match throughout. Margate took the lead in the 58th minute with new striker Fjord Rogers finishing off a beautiful counter-attack which was spear headed by Troy Howard. However, from the restart Horsham managed to level with a goal from Lucas Rodrigues who fired in a well driven shot low into the bottom left corner.
Manager Andy Drury had this to say during his interview after the conclusion of the game against Horsham. “I think you can look at it both ways really (on whether Drury thinks it’s a point gained, or two points lost), firstly I think I was a bit harsh after the Brightlingsea game but their reaction, I thought, was superb from every single one of them, they worked as hard as they possible could have, subs come on and bought into what the boys were doing out there, as a team, I thought we worked fantastically well so I'll praise them on that. With regards to the game, I'm a bit gutted for them in there, because they’ve worked so hard and we’ve probably had five very good chances where I think, we could possibly be sitting there winning quite comfortably”.
Manager Andy Drury will be without Adeyinka Cole (Knee) for the trip to Cray Wanderers.
Opponents, Cray Wanderers, also played on Friday giving both teams the same amount of rest before the game on Monday. Just like Margate, Cray Wanderers shared the points with Bishop Stortford, drawing 1-1 at the ProKit UK stadium. The hosts took the lead in the 15th minute through Frankie Merrifield, but a late leveler from Midfielder Mitch Chapman rescued a point for Cray Wanderers.
Both Cray and Margate have had the same start to the season (one win, two draws, 1 loss) with our opponents beating Canvey Island 1-0, then having draws with both Bognor Regis (2-2) and Bishop Stortford (1-1) but suffering a defeat on opening weekend to Billericay Town. These results leave Cray in 13th, one place below the ‘Gate due to goal difference.
Last season the Blues took maximum points off their Kent counterparts with a 2-1 win at Hartsdown Park in August, before snatching a 3-2 win at Hayes Lane on Boxing Day. The Blues have several former Cray players, with Fjord Rogers, Freddie Barton and new loanee Cameron Brodie all featuring for the Wands last season, as well as the Blues gaffer being the former assistant manager at Cray last season.
Kickoff is at 3pm with the gates opening at 1:30pm, with adults being priced at £12 and u16’s, Students & Concessions priced at £6.
If you can’t be there then you can stay right up to date on the Clubs Twitter @margate_fc from 2:30pm.
Stadium Address
Hayes Lane Stadium,
Bromley,
BR2 9EF
Wands Wreck Blues Bank Holiday
Margate suffered their second defeat of the season as they were beaten 1-0 by Cray Wanderers at Hayes Lane on Monday afternoon.
Manager Andy Drury made just one change from the side that earned a point against Horsham on Friday night as Freddy Barton stepped in at right-back ahead of Harrison Hatfull.
It was the hosts that set out to give the ‘Gate backline some issues as they forced several corners in the opening ten minutes, however the Blues back-line and goalkeeper, Amadou Tangara dealt with the early pressure well.
The ‘Gate were struggling to get the ball down and play football and lacked any real attacking threat before they fell behind in the 28th minute as substitute Dan Bassett raced down the left and struck a low shot into the far corner past the outstretched dive of Tangara.
In a frustrating first half display, the Blues attack very rarely threatened and were unable to create any clear chances before the break as they trailed 1-0 at half-time.
Margate started the second half very much similar as the first half looking slow and unable to control the ball with a lack of creativity in the attacking areas.
It was the hosts that should have doubled their lead just after the hour mark as Anthony Cook raced through one on one with Tangara, only for him to somehow slot his effort wide of the post.
Margate despite not creating much up to this point had a glorious opportunity to level in the 75th minute as Sam Blackman saw his effort well saved, only for the rebound to fall in the box, however James Bessey-Saldanha and Fjord Rogers got in each other’s way and the chance went begging.
Despite creating that chance, there wasn’t to be much else from the Blues as they huffed and puffed for the final fifteen minutes to no avail and suffered a Bank Holiday defeat to Cray.
The ‘Gate return to action on Friday night as they begin their Emirates FA Cup campaign away to Aylesbury United.
MARGATE: Tangara, Barton (Hatfull 58’), Fisher, Brodie, Knight, Hudson, Blackman, Rogers, McCann (Bessey-Saldanha 68’), Greenhalgh (Smith 82’), Howard
Subs not used: Ojemen, Deslandes
Attendance
312