Friend Focused On Season Finale

After being ruled out of Margate’s last two Bostik League games, centre back Liam Friend enjoyed an eventful return to the starting eleven on Saturday afternoon.

Tasked with keeping free-scoring Staines quiet, Friend’s aerial threat in the attacking third added further value to the experienced defender’s return.

Notching his first League goal for the club, Friend reflected on a testing 90 minutes in Surrey.

“It was a tiring and hard game. I thought for long periods we were the better team but they looked dangerous throughout and it showed with the two goals.”

“It was a proper end-of-season game, with two teams going for it and I thought we did ok but we’re disappointed to draw 2-2.”

Friend was drafted alongside Ben Swift as Manager Steve Watt was forced to adapt his back four once more. Friend admitted it was a close call he would feature.

“We’re struggling with injuries and suspensions, so there was a bit of pressure to get on and play but I felt I did ok.”

With the home straight in sight, Friend and his team-mates will be focused on having a considerable say on who will secure the Bostik League title, besides The Gate’s own play-off push.

Welcoming title contenders Billericay Town to Hartsdown Park on Saturday afternoon, The Gate then travel to Dulwich Hamelt for the final fixture of the 2017/18 campaign.

“We’ve got two games to bounce back and get where we want to be which is the play-offs.”

“I believe we can beat both teams. We have done it before against Dulwich at our place and we probably should have beat Billericay when we went there.” 

“Dulwich is the last game of the season and you’d think one of those two teams won’t have anything to play for by then, so that might go in our favour slightly. I think we have a good enough side to beat them.”

Friend will be looking forward to some defensive cover coming back at this decisive time as the squad look to end the season on a high.

“We have George Essuman and Tom Mills to come back into the side and Dave Martin could only make the bench today so I think the Gaffer has got some decisions to make which hopefully makes us strong and successful for those games.”

Make sure you secure your seat for Margate’s final scheduled game at Hartsdown Park with the visit of title challengers Billericay Town this Saturday. Pre-purchase your ticket here.

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