Aveley (H) - 18th March 2023

By Josh Cole

Margate are back at Hartsdown Park for another Isthmian Premier Division game as we face a title chasing Aveley on Saturday afternoon.

The ‘Gate suffered a slender defeat in West Sussex on Tuesday as they fell victim to a 1-0 scoreline at the hands of Bognor Regis. An early goal in the 5th minute from Kastrati being the only goal of the game, outlying it was a tight contest between the two sides. Due to this loss, and other results in the division, Margate have slipped one place in the table to 16th after Haringey’s win on Tuesday away at Herne Bay.

The visitors are sat in 3rd, however a win for the Millers would see them jump into 2nd providing results go their way involving Bishop’s Stortford.

Phil Roberts remains out with a calf issue, and Harry Hudson joins him after suffering an ankle injury on Tuesday. Ade Cole will be available to return for this game, and is expected that Matty Macarthur could return to the squad after spending a week with Gillingham.

The last meeting between the two sides was at Parkside with the Millers getting all three points in a 3-1 win despite having ten men since the 19th minute. The goals being scored by Aileru in the 9th minute, Sykes in the 23rd minute and Shabani in the 35th minute for the hosts before Brodie got one back on the stroke of half time. The only other meeting between the two sides was back in September 2012 where the ‘Gate came away with a 4-1 victory away in Essex.

Aveley are in red hot form currently, winning four of their last five against Potters Bar (0-2), Lewes (2-0), Herne Bay (2-1), and Folkestone (2-1) whilst a draw against Carshalton (0-0) rounds off their last five games. Margate, on the other hand, are experiencing a dip in form after losing two games on the bounce against Canvey (5-2) and Bognor (1-0) but before the last two games, we had wins against Potters Bar (1-0) and Corinthian-Casuals (2-0) whilst drawing 0-0 to Enfield Town.

A reminder that it is Ladies Day at Hartsdown Park, offering FREE ENTRY to all Ladies, with raffle prizes, photos on the pitch and the Margate Ladies and youth players being in attendance and reduced prices on wine and prosecco.

If you can’t get down to HDP on Saturday, don’t worry we’ve got you covered with match updates on our official twitter account @margatefc_ from 2:15pm onwards.

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