Watt Praises Gate Comeback

Manager Steve Watt was delighted with his Margate side’s second half display to seal a 4-2 victory at Hartsdown Park.

Far from a straightforward victory, Watt was relieved to get three important points to sustain The Gate’s push for a play off place.

“It’s the story of our season really; we never do anything the easy way! Our first half was nowhere near good enough and Browny said a few things at half time which I thought were spot on - and he deserves a lot of credit for the things he said as it worked for the second half.”

“I felt confident if we got the first goal within the opening 10 minutes after the break, we would go on and maybe win it and we got there. We were brewing with confidence as the game grew on and looked dangerous with every opportunity.”

Labelled a ‘must win’ game before kick-off, Watt agreed;

“We had to get three points today. I didn’t care how we did it or how it looked. Yes, we should play better than we did but a win was all that mattered.”

After a flat opening 45 minutes, Margate’s frontline showed their prowess with Jordan Chiedozie, Jay May and Frannie Collin all getting on the scoresheet, whilst the team ensured a resilient Harlow side scored no more goals. 

A brilliant squad display, Watt was pleased his players were able to put on a better account of themselves.

“That’s why we get so frustrated and annoyed as we do on the sidelines sometimes because we know what these players are capable of. We can do that to the best sides in this league, as we proved on Monday with the opportunities we created there.”

“It was important to win and we went with an attacking line up. I don’t think it worked in the first half and I was close to making changes at the break but after a bad half, I like to give players the opportunity to put things right and I thought they did that.”

The Gate looked threatening with creative attacking moves and a ruthless four goal haul meant there was some breathing space when the hosts were reduced to 10 men. Speaking about George Essuman’s dismissal, Watt felt the young defender was somewhat unlucky. 

“I thought it was a youngster’s sending off. Like I said to George after, I think for the second yellow a more experienced player doesn’t go for the header but the problem was the first caution. But that’s the thing with a young player and with youth but he will learn from that because that’s what George does.”

“It was a shame as I think he had a tough first half and a fantastic second until that moment. It wasn’t a bad tackle, it was a game played in a good manner and didn’t necessarily merit such a harsh second caution but to the letter of the law they’re both yellow cards.”

Essuman’s red card made it three games in a row that saw Margate reduced to 10 men. After an impeccable disciplinary record until recently, Watt reflected back:

“We’ve had a lot of red cards in the last six weeks but if you look back at it, we had two yellow cards at Leiston which were incredibly harsh. We have the Tom Mills one which we can’t argue. Tom Wynter’s was harsh on Monday and today’s; it’s not like we have players going in with any malice or intent.”

“They’re cheap fouls here and then. These last few weeks we’ve been punished for every little mistake, whereas when we were our positive run we were making similar mistakes but not getting punished.”

“It’s part of the season and the twists and turns and I would say we’ve been relatively calm but we’re getting everything in one bout. It will test the squad and stretch us further.”

The Gate are back in action this Tuesday as they welcome Kingstonian to Hartsdown Park. Buy your ticket here.

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