Consistency Required For Gate

Joint Margate Manager, Mike Sandmann, called upon his side to find more consistency after a goal less 90 minutes against Harlow Town on Saturday afternoon.

In a game lacking clear cut opportunities for either side, Sandmann admitted The Gate failed to do enough to merit back-to-back victories in the Bostik League.

“We look at this afternoon as points dropped. We were really pleased with Monday’s performance and result, which is always the most important thing and we wanted to build on that.”

“It’s disappointing and the only positive is we kept a clean sheet, but we did not do nearly enough to win the game. It’s really important as a group we now focus on delivering consistency in our performances.”

Reflecting on the match, Sandmann blamed a lack of intensity for the host’s inability to break down a determined Harlow side.

“Harlow came to make it difficult, not let us settle into any pattern of play. When teams do that, you have to work harder and do more to get on the ball and play.”

“Every team is going to try and stop you executing your game plan and doing what you do well. It’s then when we have to do more and have more intensity about us to create chances and link up with forward players.”

Sandmann added, “I don’t think we did that anywhere near enough which is what Browny and I spoke about at half-time. We needed to raise the levels, anticipating more second balls, getting on them and playing. There was a slight reaction, but I still don’t think we did enough to merit a victory.”

Margate had to shuffle the pack early on when Jack Paxman was forced from the field of play with an injury. Sandmann praised The Blues defence and versatile defender Tom Wynter who returned from injury to replace the young right-back.

“It’s pleasing to get a clean sheet, we didn’t want to have to bring Wynter on so soon as he is coming back from injury but unfortunately we have another injury with Pax which we need to assess.”

“Hopefully it is just a bit of a dead leg that won’t rule him out too long, but he couldn’t continue today. Tom Wynter was excellent when he came on. He hasn’t played for three or four weeks and we were pleased with him and the defence who didn’t concede too many chances.”

With ten games played, the Bostik League is looking an intriguing contest already. Assessing Margate’s start, Sandmann said:

“It's open and all to play for, of course. You don’t have a Billiericay or a Dulwich in there this year. I read something the other day from another manager in the league who said he actually thinks it is a harder league this year, as people are putting in more resources as they genuinely think they’ve got a chance of going up and you can see everybody is beating everybody.”

“There are no easy games in this league and that will continue to be the case. I’m sure as the season goes on, there will be a separation between the top and bottom halves but at the moment that doesn’t seem to be the case.”

“We’re ten games in, we feel we should have more points on the board. After today’s result we’re in the top half, we’d have like to have been in the play-offs but that was not to be. We go again next week and will be looking to get three more points on the board against a very difficult Enfield side.”

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