Manager Determined To Bounce Back

After a disappointing Emirates FA Cup defeat on Saturday afternoon, Manager Steve Watt could not conceal his dissatisfaction but equally his determination to bounce back on Tuesday evening, when The Gate host Merstham FC.

Speaking after Margate’s 2-1 loss, Watt said;

“You win and lose games of football and that’s the nature of the sport but I can’t accept giving teams a victory, which is what I felt we did today.”

“We were very dominant and positive in the first half but - for whatever reason - in the second half our performance wasn’t good enough and unacceptable.”

With big games come big moments and the home side were left to rue a golden opportunity for striker Jordan Chiedozie, whose run of form despite carrying an injury, has been impressive.

Watt agreed, saying; “We didn’t look like we were going to concede, as we were very solid once again but moments in games are massive. When Jordan was one on one, if that had gone in then that was our big moment and we could have gone on to win.”

“But then Sammy Moore pops up with a great strike and it was the kind of strike they needed to unlock us.”

The Manager’s disappointment was palpable, as he rued the opportunity to break the club’s 15-year absence in the first-round proper.

“I saw the tie as a 50/50 game, anyone can beat anyone in our League so it was effectively like that and I don’t think we could have been considered favourites at all.”

“Yet I don’t we could have asked for more control in an FA Cup tie at such a late stage. But we had our moment, we missed it and Leatherhead took theirs down the other end with a super strike and we have to deal with that.”

“I won’t dwell on it too long, we’ll pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and go again Tuesday and look to get three points.”

?

Ahead of this evening’s game, Watt and his management team are facing a handful of injury concerns, but the focus is firmly set on sticking together to grind out a good result.

“We’re very short at the moment.” Watt admitted. “Jordan is carrying an injury and that’s not making any excuses, that’s a fact. He’s playing through the pain barrier for the football club. Frannie Collin failed a fitness test beforehand, so I couldn’t play two up top and create chances which is unfortunate for us.”

“But the best thing about football? The games come in thick and fast and we can put this right on Tuesday evening. If we win our games in hand, we can go third in the League, so we’re positive about that.”

Hosting Merstham tonight, the Blues then travel to Harlow Town on Saturday afternoon and Watt is optimistic his side has what it takes to respond well to Saturday’s defeat.

“A week’s a long time in football, if we pick up six points over the next two games, we could be feeling a lot better next Saturday.”

“We’ve lost two in the league, have six clean sheets and we want a positive result on Tuesday to take with us on Saturday.”

Show your support for Steve and the boys by joining us this evening. Kick-off is at 7:45pm.

Admission Prices

Adults £10

Concession £8

11-17 £5

U11 FREE

More news