Steyning Town (H) - 21st December 2024

By Josh Cole

Our last game before Christmas sees us take on Steyning Town at Hartsdown Park in the Isthmian South-East division!

Last time out we won against Littlehampton, 1-2. Read the report from that game by clicking here.

STEYNING TOWN – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

The Barrowmen are currently 21st in the league, with eight points after 20 games played. Steyning started 2024/25 in the FA Cup extra preliminary round where they won 4-0 against Hilltop. In the opening league game they lost 0-1 to Merstham but won two cup games back-to-back in the FA Cup preliminary round and in the FA Trophy preliminary round.

They lost three games in a row, one in the league and two in cup competitions, being knocked out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy at the first qualifying round stage. A huge 1-4 win away at Littlehampton in the league followed but then came two losses before another win against Hythe this time. A cup exit in the Sussex County Cup came after losing 1-6 to Bognor Regis.

Steyning then went their next ten league games without even picking up a point, their next point came on the 16th of November in a 1-1 draw with AFC Croydon. That was followed up by three more losses before another 1-1 draw against Beckenham, which is a good point as Beckenham sit third at the time of writing.

View the full league table by clicking here.

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

0-6 Win vs Ashford United, away (Velocity Trophy Second Round)

2-2 Draw vs Erith Town, home (League)

2-4 Loss vs Sheppey United, home (Velocity Trophy Third Round)

0-2 Win vs Phoenix Sports, away (League)

1-2 Win vs Littlehampton, away (League)

LAST FIVE: STEYNING TOWN

1-1 Draw vs AFC Croydon, home (League)

3-2 Loss vs Hythe Town, away (League)

1-2 Loss vs Three Bridges, home (League)

4-0 Loss vs Eastbourne Town, away (League)

1-1 Draw vs Beckenham Town, home (League)

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS (all comps):

MARGATE:

Matches played: 31

Goals scored: 62

Goals conceded: 29

GD: +33

Clean sheets: 13

STEYNING TOWN:

Matches played: 27

Goals scored: 29

Goals conceded: 64

GD: -35

Clean sheets: 2

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Simon Cutler

Assistants: Matthew Charles & Luke Burford

UP THE ‘GATE

'Gate See Off Steyning To Go Third

By David Hansen

With Christmas just round the corner, Margate welcomed the supporters with an early Christmas present with 3 points at Hartsdown Park after a solid 2-0 victory up against West Sussex outfit Steyning Town Community.

This game was our first home game in nearly a month, 'Gate supporters would have wanted to see a fast start, and a fast start they got. The ’Gate netted twice within three minutes of each other.

The first coming from a cross on the right side from Jordon Ababio, which after an attempted bicycle fell to the feet of our number ten, Ben Allen, who smashed his shot past Stroomberg-Clarke to give The 'Gate an early lead after a rapid start to the game.

Only three minutes later the lead was doubled as a well flighted cross found the head of a leaping Ibrahim Olutade who’s header smashed the underside of the crossbar before finding the net, a deserved lead after a great start.

Steyning Town Community started to grow into the match towards the backend of the 1st half, with striker Harry Shooman creating a couple of half chances which didn’t really test keeper Tom Wray. Margate with a deserved lead at the break.

Moving into the 2nd half the game became more disjointed with many stoppages and many times the physio coming on to tend to injuries. The best chance of the half for Margate fell to Lewis Knight with a volley at the far post following a corner which went just over the bar.

A bit of game management from Margate led to Steyning Town creating some more chances with many Margate players putting their bodies on the line to block the incoming efforts from the visitors attacks.

Margate saw the game out following eight added minutes to extend our winning run and setting up the blockbuster Thanet Derby on Boxing Day with Ramsgate having the day off after their game against Merstham was postponed.

Margate XI: 1. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 6. Harry Hudson, 7. Jordon Ababio (Ben Greenhalgh 90+3), 8. Harvey Brand, 9. Ibrahim Olutade, 10. Ben Allen (Enoch Muwonge 46’), 12. Lewis Knight, 14. Brandon Davey, 17. Kai Garande, 18. Louie Atkins (Gabriel Duo 69’)

Subs not used: Tyrone Sterling and Jack Peters.

Margate Goalscorers:

Ben Allen 13’

Ibrahim Olutade 16’

Attendance

347

UP THE 'GATE