Lewes (H) - 4th November 2023

By Josh Cole

The Isthmian Premier Division returns to Hartsdown Park for Matchday #11 as we take on Lewes in CT9 on Saturday afternoon.

In our last match against Hastings over two weeks ago, we suffered a 1-2 defeat despite taking the lead. You can read the latch report by clicking here.

Reece Prestedge gave his thoughts on that game in his post-match interview on our YouTube channel. Watch the video by clicking here.

SEASON’S SO FAR:

We have struggled to string consistent results together so far this season and this sees us sat in 16th place in the table on 13 points from 10 games. We have four wins against Whitehawk (2-1), Concord Rangers (1-2), Potters Bar (2-1), and Chatham Town (2-0), one draw against Hashtag United (1-1), and five losses against Hornchurch (4-1), Cheshunt (1-2), Folkestone Invicta (2-0), Canvey Island (4-1), and Hastings (1-2). 13 goals and 18 conceded leaves us with a goal difference of -5.

Moving onto our visitors who are sat in a healthy 9th place on 18 points from 10 games. The Rooks have five wins against Cray Wanderers (1-0), Kingstonian (1-3), Potters Bar (1-2), Hastings (3-1), and Enfield Town (4-0), three draws against Hornchurch (2-2), Bognor Regis (3-3), and Carshalton Athletic (1-1), with two losses against Folkestone Invicta (1-3), and Chatham Town (3-0). With 20 goals scored and 15 goals conceded, that leaves them with a goal difference of +5.

View the full Isthmian Premier Division table by clicking here.

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

Loss vs Chesham United, away (2-0) FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round

Loss vs Harrow Borough, away (1-0) FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

Win vs Chatham Town, home (2-0) League

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

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

LAST FIVE: LEWES

Win vs Lowestoft Town, home (4-1) FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round

Loss vs Aldershot Town, away (4-1) FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round

Win vs Enfield Town, home (4-0) League

Draw vs Carshalton Athletic (1-1) League

Win vs Dulwich Hamlet, away (0-2) FA Trophy 1st Round

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Dating back 10 years, we have faced Lewes 14 times, with three wins for Margate, seven wins for Lewes and four draws. The last time the two teams met at Hartsdown Park was 1st April 2023, last season, where the game ended 2-2 with Margate’s goals from Sam Blackman and Ruben Soares-Junior. You can watch the highlights from that game by clicking here.

Margate will wait to see if striker Steve Cawley has recovered from a calf strain picked up our defeat to Hastings United. Defender Skye Salmon is likely to be dual –registered with a SCEFL side ahead of the weekend. There is no other injury concerns for manager Reece Prestedge, however Sam Blackman misses the game as he serves a game suspension after picking up five yellow cards. 

MATCH OFFICIALS

The referee for Saturday’s fixture will be Steven Goldup and he will be accompanied by Piotr Zachwieja and Marian Stoichitoiu.

Tomorrow we will be holding a minute silence to remember all those that have died in conflicts around the world as well as former Margate player Lenny Long who sadly passed away recently. In addition to that, we will be selling poppies in the hut by the turnstiles!

Unfortunately, not able to make the game? Head over to our official X account @Margate_fc for live match updates starting from 2:15pm!

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