Erith Town (H) - 23rd November 2024
By Josh Cole
Back home in the league coming off the back of an incredible 0-6 win against Ashford on Tuesday in the velocity cup, we now welcome Erith Town for our second game against The Dockers in the league this season!
Tickets for our boxing day clash with Ramsgate were released on Wednesday, click here to get yours!
ERITH TOWN – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:
Erith Town, coming up from the SCEFL league last season, currently sit in 6th on 29 points from 17 games. The Dockers started their season in the FA Cup extra preliminary round against Pagham at home, which they won 6-2. Then in the first league game at home to Ashford, they drew 3-3. Two away games came next, and both were losses to Merstham in the FA Cup preliminary round and Farnham in the FA Trophy preliminary round. Two back-to-back wins in the league cancelled out those losses as they beat Phoenix Sports at home (2-0) and Lancing away (0-1). Away at Holm Park, Erith lost 3-1 in the league but they bounced back to beat AFC Croydon (3-0), then Sittingbourne (4-1) in the Velocity Cup second round as well as Hythe away in the league (0-5). Inconsistent form then hit Erith, losing to both Herne Bay and Eastbourne away, as well as Beckenham at home. They then drew away at Merstham and Sevenoaks but won on home soil against Deal. After losing 1-3 at home to Margate, Erith’s form continued to show inconsistencies, as they won against Broadbridge Heath in the league but lost at home to Dartford, knocking Town out of the Velocity Cup. Since that loss, Erith have gone undefeated in their last five games, winning against East Grinstead, before drawing against Sheppey and AFC Croydon, and they rounded off this run of games with two wins, one in the league against Hythe and a massive 4-7 win away at Cray Wanderers in the London Senior Cup.
View the full league table by clicking here.
LAST FIVE: MARGATE
1-2 Win vs Broadbridge Heath, away (league)
0-1 Win vs Deal Town, away (league)
1-1 Draw vs Burgess Hill, home (league)
1-3 Win vs Three Bridges, away (league)
0-6 Win vs Ashford United, away (Velocity Cup Second Round)
LAST FIVE: ERITH TOWN
0-4 Win vs East Grinstead, away (league)
1-1 Draw vs Sheppey United, home (league)
0-0 Draw vs AFC Croydon, away (league)
3-0 Win vs Hythe Town, home (league)
4-7 Win vs Cray Wanderers, away (London Senior Cup Second Round)
CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS (all comps):
MARGATE:
Matches played: 27
Goals scored: 54
Goals conceded: 22
GD: +32
Clean sheets: 12
ERITH TOWN:
Matches played: 24
Goals scored: 50
Goals conceded: 35
GD: +15
Clean sheets: 9
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: David Spain
Assistants: Krystian Kaczala & Mark Roberts
UP THE ‘GATE
Blues Rescue Point With Last Gasp Equaliser
By Reece Hibbird
Both Erith Town players and supporters made the trip down to not-so-sunny Margate, for another Isthmian League encounter.
The weather conditions were certainly playing their part, with the wind and the rain swooping through Hartsdown Park.
Ben Greenhalgh looked to put the weather to the test from kick off, with a halfway line shot which took everyone by surprise by how quickly the ball travelled.
It was a first half of very few goalscoring chances, but one chance which was indeed taken, was when the ball was cleared out of the Margate box to ex-‘Gate fullback, Rossi Craig.
Craig let fly from just outside the 18-yard box, on the volley, and watched as the ball flew into the top corner. Tom Wray unable to do anything, with the wind certainly in favour of the goal scorer on this occasion.
The second half rolled around with the ‘Gate having it all to do for themselves, and Greenhalgh came close to doing so. Harrison Hatfull found Ben with a cross, but his half volley went whiskers wide of the post.
71 minutes on the board and the worst had happened. Erith doubled their lead, as Tom Wray initially made the save, however the ball got away from the goalkeeper giving James Dyer a golden opportunity to put his side 2-0 up with under 20 left to go.
It looked to be all but wrapped up for Erith, that was before Brandon Davey had his say on proceedings.
Greenhalgh lofted a ball delicately over the back line and to Davey’s feet, who beats the ‘keeper and taps it home. The comeback was on…
With the Erith ‘keeper having to be substituted, Erith town were forced to play one of the outfield players in between the sticks. Naturally this gave Margate the perfect opportunity to apply more pressure and test the makeshift ‘keeper.
90 minutes had approached, and Margate had been trying everything to break down the resolute defence of Erith, but it looked like all hope was lost…
93 minutes on the clock, and Max Walsh was found in the box from the right. He sent one defender to the burger van with a lovely feint, and then rockets the ball into the bottom corner. The ‘Gate were level!
The noise at Hartsdown Park was rocking, as the supporters tried to spur the boys on for a winner. The ball was played over the top to Ababio, who was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but the referee had decided enough was enough before he could get his shot away and the points were shared.
Margate XI: 1. Tom Wray, 2. Harrison Hatfull, 6. Harry Hudson ©, 7. Jordon Ababio, 8. Harvey Brand, 9. Ibrahim Olutade, 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 12. Lewis Knight, 14. Brandon Davey, 16. Louie Atkins (Max Walsh 69’), and 17. Kai Garande.
Unused Subs: 10. Ben Allen, 15. Gabriel Duo, 18. Finnley Sillence, and 19. Jack Peters.
Goalscorers: Davey 73’ and Walsh 90+3’
Margate Media Player of the Match: Brandon Davey
Attendance: 357
UP THE ‘GATE