Lewes (A) - 29th March 2022

Margate return to Sussex on Tuesday night as they travel to The Dripping Pan to face play-off chasing Lewes.

Margate will be looking for revenge against their hosts who inflicted a heavy 6-2 home loss at Hartsdown Park back in October.

Margate’s last visit to The Dripping Pan in October 2020 ended in a 1-0 defeat, however the travelling Blues fans will have fond memories of their August Bank Holiday visit in 2014 when they ran out 5-1 winners.

The ‘Gate come into this game having been disappointed with their last three performances on the road, having suffered three defeats at Potters Bar Town, Worthing and Bognor Regis Town on Saturday. The losses have left Margate out of the play-off race, however their hosts tonight are right in the mix.

Lewes earned a 2-1 away win at Folkestone Invicta to leave themselves in 6th place, just three points outside the play-off places. The ‘Rooks’ have lost just three of their last 13 and have hit form at the right time.

This game was originally due to take place in February, however fell victim to storm Eunice due to a waterlogged pitch, as well as high winds which made it unsafe for players and spectators.

Margate fans will of course notice a familiar face in the Lewes side in former striker Joe Taylor. The former ‘Gate striker has been in fine form for the ‘Rooks’ having netted 26 times so far in the Isthmian League.

Kick-off tonight at The Dripping Pan is 7:45pm, but as always if you can’t be there then you can stay up to date on the clubs official Twitter feed @margate_fc from 7:30pm.

Stadium address

The Dripping Pan

Mountfield Road

Lewes

East Sussex

BN7 2XA

'Gate Lose at Lewes

Margate suffered their fourth straight away league defeat in a row as they were beaten 2-0 by Lewes on Tuesday evening.

Manager Jay Saunders was able to welcome back Captain Ben Swift from suspension, but was once again without Lewis Knight and Joe Anderson as he had to settle for another makeshift back four.

Having lost their previous three away games, Margate looked intent on getting on the front foot as Louis Collins raced through one on one but saw his shot well saved in the tenth minute.

Despite the positive start, the Blues fell behind in the 12th minute as former ‘Gate striker Joe Taylor pounced on a loose ball in the box to fire the play-off chasing hosts ahead.

Taylor has long been a nemesis of Margate, other than when he has been in Blue, almost scored again as he saw a shot go narrowly over Ben Bridle-Card’s bar as Lewes looked to stamp their authority on the game.

Margate did start to find their feet as Benas Vaivada and Ben Greenhalgh went close, before Greenhalgh then saw one of his trademark free-kicks whistle past the post as the ‘Gate looked to find some momentum.

Greenhalgh again looked to be the one to unlock the Lewes back-line in the second half as his free-kick found Crossley Lema whose poked effort fell wide of the goal.

Realistically, the game was put to bed in the 59th minute as Razz Coleman De-Graft broke away down the right before cutting in on his left foot and unleashing an unstoppable shot past Bridle-Card which hit the crossbar and bounced over the line and into the net to double the ‘Rooks’ lead.

Margate knew it was now or never if they were going to get something as they began to push forward more. Firstly, James Bessey-Saldanha saw an effort saved which was recycled by Greenhalgh to Sam Blackman who saw his shot rise over the bar.

The Blues were getting closer though as in the 72nd minute, Collins thought he had his first Margate goal as he saw an effort strike the far post as Margate saw their chance of a point fading in front of them.

Lewes almost extended their lead in the final stages, however there was not much more goal mouth action as Margate travelled back to Kent having suffered another defeat on the road.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Odaudu, Agyemang, Lema, Swift, Vaivada (Bessey-Saldanha 62’), Blackman, Collins, Rutherford (Feyi 76’), Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Colmer, Lamb, Bola

Attendance

601