Herne Bay (A) - 1st January 2025

By Josh Cole

A local derby to kick off 2025 for The ‘Gate as we make the short trip to Herne Bay on New Year’s Day!

Last time out away at East Grinstead Margate put on a dominant display to win 0-2, with goals from Ibrahim Olutade and Louie Atkins. Click here to read the match report.

HERNE BAY – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

The Bay are currently 16th in the league on 24 points from 22 games, a disappointing season so far. They were undefeated in the month of August, starting with an away win at Littlehampton in the league. After drawing at home in the FA Cup preliminary round against Rayners Lane, they got the job done in the away replay, winning 1-2.

A draw in the league at HDP against Margate came next before they travelled to beat Ashford Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round. They also won in the FA Trophy first qualifying round game, beating Northwood 1-0 in the first game in September. However, they lost to Hythe Town back in the league, but their good cup form continued in the FA Cup with a win over Hendon at home in the second qualifying round, setting up a big tie against Maidstone.

Herne Bay lost on pens to Sheppey in the Velocity Cup second round but won their next two games against Three Bridges in the FA Trophy second qualifying round and Erith Town at home in the Kent Senior Cup.

Against Maidstone in the FA Cup third qualifying round, despite their best efforts, The Bay lost 0-1. They also lost to Chichester 2-0, knocking them out of the FA Trophy. So, back to league action, their next six games and they won three and lost three before beating us in the Kent Senior Cup 3-0. In their next seven league games they won twice, lost four times and drew once.

In the next round of the Kent Senior Cup they travelled to play Tonbridge Angels but lost that one 2-1. In their last six games, all in the league, Bay have won one games, as well as drawing once, whilst losing the rest, cementing their place in the bottom half of the table.

Click here to view the full league table.

LAST FIVE: HERNE BAY

0-4 Loss vs Sittingbourne, home (League)

1-2 Loss vs East Grinstead, home (League)

3-0 Loss vs Broadbridge Heath, away (League)

1-1 Draw vs Deal Town, away (League)

3-2 Win vs Littlehampton, home (League)

LAST FIVE: MARGATE

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

1-2 Win vs Littlehampton, away (League)

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

2-2 Draw vs Ramsgate, home (League)

0-2 Win vs East Grinstead, away (League)

CRUNCHING THE NUMBERS (all comps)

HERNE BAY:

Matches played: 34

Goals scored: 51

Goals conceded: 58

GD: -7

Clean sheets: 9

MARGATE:

Matches played: 34

Goals scored: 68

Goals conceded: 31

GD: +37

Clean sheets: 15

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD:

Herne Bay: 3

Draws: 4

Margate: 14

Since our first fixture against Herne Bay in 1902, there have been 20 more games between the two sides. All information comes from the Margate history website, click here to visit.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Joseph Dann-Pye

Assistants: Mitchell Jukes & Piotr Zachwieja

UP THE ‘GATE

'Gate Start 2025 With Derby Win

By Josh Cole

The ‘Gate go marching on as the first game of 2025 ends in a win at The Crest Stadium!

Ben Greenhalgh opened the scoring for Margate on the 26th minute with a screamer that bounced in off the crossbar!

Kai Garande doubled our lead in the 69th minute with another superb goal as he took it past one defender and from outside the box fired one into the bottom corner!

Kane Haysman did pull one back for The Bay on the 73rd minute but Margate held on to win away!

Crazy weather was forecast and CT6 in Kent was very wet and windy, lucky for the all-weather pitch the game was on.

Ben Allen had the first chance in the 2nd minute, but he put it low and wide of the goal.

In the 5th minute Herne Bay did have the ball in the back of the net, but the linesman was quick to raise his flag and ensure the goal could not stand.

Bay had another chance in the 13th minute, but Reece Hobbs pulled off a great close range save!

Greenhalgh hit one from range in the 14th minute and it just went over the bar, foreshadowing the goal to come…

And that goal came in the 26th minute from the aforementioned Greenhalgh with a brilliant effort that bounced off the crossbar and in!

The half would end 0-1 to The ‘Gate in a tight derby affair.

With Herne Bay down at the bottom of the table, they came out with intent to turn their season around and Hobbs had to make a good save down low to prevent the equaliser just three minutes after half-time.

Garande then struck a dagger into The Bay’s heart with a superb strike from outside the box and it flew into the net making it 2-0 in the 69th minute!

Herne Bay would pull one back through Haysman just four minutes later.

The clock ticked down and on New Year’s Day, The ‘Gate have started 2025 how they left in 2024, WITH THREE POINTS!

Margate XI: 13. Reece Hobbs (GK), 6. Harry Hudson ©, 8. Harvey Brand, 9. Ibrahim Olutade, 10. Ben Allen (Jordon Ababio 64’), 11. Ben Greenhalgh, 12. Lewis Knight, 15. Gabriel Duo, 16. Tyrone Sterling, 17. Kai Garande, and 18. Louie Atkins (Enoch Muwonge 77’).

Unused Subs: Loui Hoxha & Jack Peters.

MFC goalscorers: Ben Greenhalgh 26’ and Kai Garande 69’

Margate Media Man of the Match: Kai Garande

Attendance: 652

UP THE ‘GATE