Tonbridge Angels (A) - 29th July 2023
By Josh Cole
Another away trip for Margate as we face a journey to Tonbridge Angels at Longmead for our 7th pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon. This game is also another DOUBLE HEADER with the Margate Women taking on the Tonbridge Angels Women at 6pm after the men’s game at 3pm.
Margate showed character and resilience to fightback from 2-0 down on Tuesday away against Corinthian as they won their third pre-season game of the schedule.
Manager Reece Prestedge said, it was a “tale of two halves” after his side fought back thanks to two goals from Steve Cawley, before Sam Blackman scored the winner.
You can watch the full interview on our YouTube channel by clicking here.
Tonbridge Angels will be another tough test for the ‘Gate as they currently play in the Vanarama National League South. Finishing 10th last year, the Angels will be hoping for a play-off push this season under former Margate manager Jay Saunders who has been there since he left the ‘Gate in May 2022. Tonbridge have played eight pre-season games so far and their results include a 3-0 win against Rusthall, 1-0 win against Folkestone, 1-0 defeat to Ebbsfleet United, 1-1 draw with Stansfeld, 5-1 win over Charlton U21’s, 4-1 win over Hythe Town, 4-0 win against a Gillingham Xl and a 2-2 draw away at Scarborough last weekend.
Margate fans will see plenty of familiar faces on Saturday as the Angels squad include former ‘Gate keeper Jon Henley, defender Ben Swift and last year’s Blues Kent Senior Cup Final scorer Nathan Wood and striker Ruben Soares-Junior who featured in the second half of the season for the ‘Gate.
The Margate Supporters Club are laying on travel to Tonbridge with the bus leaving Hartsdown Park at 12pm noon costing £12.50 for non-supporter’s club members and £10 for members. To book your seat please email SEREPHINA2001@YAHOO.CO.UK
Ticket prices for this fixture are set at;
Adults - £10
Youth (12-17) - £5
Senior Concession (65 and over) - £5
Under 12- FREE
STADIUM ADDRESS
LONGMEAD STADIUM
DARENTH AVE
TONBRIDGE
TN10 3JF
Blues Narrowly Beaten By Angels
Margate were narrowly beaten 1-0 by National League South side Tonbridge Angels at The Longmead Stadium, as the Blues continued their pre-season schedule on Saturday afternoon.
Manager Reece Prestedge was without captain Sam Blackman and striker Steve Cawley, however it was the ‘Gate who started quicker as Phil Roberts pinched the ball from a Tonbridge defender, before seeing his lobbed effort easily collected by Jonathan Henley.
It took the hosts twenty minutes to get into the game, however it was Ruben Soares-Junior, back at the Angels from Margate who almost opened the scoring as his effort was incredibly blocked on the line by Tyrone Sterling. It was Soares-Junior that was creating the danger from the hosts as he stung the hands of Damian Niemczycki with another fierce effort.
Harvey Smith almost opened the scoring late in the first half as he was cleverly picked out by a fine Ben Greenhalgh free-kick, however the striker lifted the ball narrowly over the bar. Margate thought they did have the lead in the 44th minute as another well worked set piece was nodded across the six-yard box, before Roberts tapped home, only for the linesman to raise his flag.
With the goal disallowed, Tonbridge went straight up the other end and took the lead as Tommy Fagg fired home from a corner to give the hosts a narrow 1-0 lead at the interval.
Blues fans got their first glimpse of Roberto Ratti who was introduced at half-time, however it was a slow start to the half, even though Margate were much improved on keeping possession.
In the 75th minute, Margate almost capitalised on a Tonbridge mistake at the back as Jamie Fielding attempted to head the ball back to his ‘keeper, but he got it all wrong allowing Roberts to sneak in and roll the ball across the six-yard box, only for it to trickle past the ‘Gate players arriving.
A much improved Margate saw Greenhalgh flash a fierce strike narrowly wide, moments before the ‘Gate had their second goal of the afternoon ruled out as Ratti slotted home, only for the linesman again to raise his flag.
There was to be no time for any leveller as Tonbridge saw out the last five minutes to hold on to their 1-0 advantage.
Margate continue their pre-season campaign on Wednesday night when they travel to Welling to take on Erith & Belvedere with kick-off scheduled for 7:45pm.