Rogers Relishing Play Off Challenge

Captain James Rogers reflected on a tough week on the road as Margate picked up hard fought points against fellow play-off contenders, Leiston and Hendon.

“With the Kingstonian game being called off earlier in the month, we’ve had a run of away games under our belts and gone to some tough places. Leiston and Hendon are pushing for the play-offs like us, so we knew we were in for a difficult week.”

“I think we’ve been unlucky not to get a bit more from the two games but it was important for us to bounce back from the Needham Market result and pick up points to stay with the pack, which we’ve done.”

Whilst many of The Gate’s rivals have had a string of postponements, Margate’s games have remained largely undisrupted and the Margate skipper is hopeful the points already on the board will hold the team in good stead.

“There’s going to be lots of twists and turns, there always is during the business end of the season, especially with so many teams still in with a chance. Anyone can beat anyone on their day in this league.”

“If you look at Billericay, I don’t think anyone would have thought they’d go on the losing run they have. When you’re in and around the top - like we’ve been ourselves - you notice how teams raise their game and have an extra edge trying to get points off you.”

“Leiston and Hendon would have treated three points against us like six and both games were tough for different reasons. We did enough for three points at Hendon but after the start, it was important we didn’t go away empty handed.”

The Gate will travel again this weekend, heading to play the Metropolitan Police, Rogers looks forward to another battle for three points.

“It’s about chalking the games off and getting the points we need. Every game is important and you don’t know quite how important each point could be until the end of the season. Hopefully the travelling fans will make the effort to come out in force again and we can keep pushing to be where we want to be.”

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