Manager Comments: Canvey Island (H)

By Dylan Smith

We spoke to Mark Stimson after the 3-2 win on Saturday, read the interview with him below!

The win has been a long time coming for the ‘Gate, and Stimson believes this will breed confidence in the squad for the rest of the season!

“The boys have music on in the dressing room, at prior clubs I’ve not really celebrated a win too much as it’s usually the norm, you look forward to the next game, but for the boys and myself personally this one means a lot. We will get back on the training pitch on Tuesday and Thursday, deal with a few things which will hopefully put us in good stead for the rest of the season. We’ve got to be positive and pick up as many points as we can to give ourselves a chance.”

Stimson was delighted with the first half performance, especially with how the team responded after going a goal down.

“Before their goal we started brilliantly. A couple of half chances and fizzing balls across their box, suddenly, one free kick from the halfway line has caught us off guard and we were 1-0 down, but it was a great reaction from the boys to turn it around instantly. I asked Ben to play up top today to try and feed off Cawley, and I thought they were immaculate; they caused many problems for Canvey who are good defensively. After scoring a hat trick, he (Ben) must’ve felt six-foot, seven-foot at half time.”

The change in system showed to have a positive effect on the game, Stimson claimed he would be “stupid to change it” going into next week.

“All games are different, we brought in Teddy Perkins who is mobile. We also brought in Rio who is very athletic and did a good job at wing back, alongside Toby who is starting to find his legs now as he’s had a few weeks of playing. I thought today we should change it up and could do with two up top. Steve needed the help; he’s been brilliant for us, but he’s had no one close enough to him to link up with. With Ben being able to read his flick-ons and score hat-trick, I’d be stupid to change it wouldn’t I.”

Ben Greenhalgh was the standout performer on the day, after scoring a hat-trick, despite not playing in his natural position. Stimson believes he has more than enough quality to affect the game through the middle.

“He likes to play on the wing, and I can see why, but I like him down the middle. I have tried him in central midfield, and I don’t quite think that was his position, but I decided to get him nearer the goal because his technical ability is outstanding. You can see in his goals, with his first being a right foot shot and his last he was able to slip it past the keeper on his left after powering through on goal. His free kick is just what Margate fans know he can do.”

Mark Stimson was full of praise for how the board have treated him during his time as Margate manager.

“I’m very happy, the boys gave everything, and the board have been very helpful since I got here. We’ve had to move around a lot, we brought in two players this week. This win is definitely for the supporters, they’ve been outstanding and have stood by the players. Let’s try build on this.”

Stimmo looks ahead to training on Tuesday and Thursday, before a ‘tough’ fixture away at Haringey Borough.

“I’ve just said to the boys, it’s a great win but the best thing is that we are training on Tuesday and Thursday in preparation for a tough away game on Saturday. They are below us in the table with their Isthmian league status hanging in the balance, so they’ll be fired up to get a result, we need to make sure we are too.”

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