Corinthian FC (A) - 25th July 2023

By Josh Cole

The ‘Gate face a trip to Longfield on Tuesday night as we take on Corinthian FC at The Gay Dawn Farm Stadium for our sixth pre-season match in preparation for the 2023/24 season.

Margate fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Sittingbourne in the rain at Hartsdown Park. The ‘Gate have won two, lost two and drawn one so far this pre-season, however with the start of the Isthmian League approaching, manager Reece Prestedge will be looking for performances and results from his side with the opener against Whitehawk less than three weeks away.

After Saturday’s defeat, Prestedge said the game was “probably” the best test his side could have faced after last Tuesday night’s win over Dartford.

You can watch the full interview on our YouTube channel Gatetv by clicking here.

Corinthian have played four pre-season games so far with results including a 3-1 loss to Crowborough Athletic, a 3-0 loss to FC Elmstead, and a loss to Cray Valley PM by a single goal. Tuesday’s host will play in the SCEFL Premier Division after being relegated in 20th place last year from the Isthmian South-East Division.

Margate Supporters Club are running travel to the game. It costs £10 for members and £12.50 for non-members with the travel departing Hartsdown Park at 5:30pm. Any supporter wishing to book their place on the minibus should e-mail Terry Scott on SEREPHINA2001@YAHOO.CO.UK

Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm, however if you can’t be there you can stay up to date on our official Twitter feed @margate_fc

STADIUM ADDRESS

Gay Dawn Farm

Longfield

DA3 8LY

Blues Fight Back To Beat Corinthian

Margate fought back from 2-0 down to beat SCEFL Premier Division side Corinthian FC in their latest pre-season fixture on Tuesday evening.

Manager Reece Prestedge was able to name Steve Cawley in his starting eleven, whilst Harry Hudson and Tyrone Sterling were reunited at the back.

In warm conditions at the Gay Dawn Farm stadium, both sides took their time to find their feet in the opening fifteen minutes. It was the hosts that took the lead in the 15th minute as Hudson was alleged to have hauled a Corinthian striker to the ground in the 18-yard box. The hosts dispatched the penalty and took a 1-0 lead.

Margate slowly got going and almost levelled in the 33rd minute as Phil Roberts saw a wonderful free-kick well tipped wide by the hosts keeper.

Sterling was next to go close with a striking header, however it was the hosts who should have gone in 2-0 up, however, a wonderful save from the Blues trialist goalkeeper kept the score at 1-0 at half-time.

The ‘Gate had the trialist keeper to thank just minutes into the second half as he again denied a Corinthian effort, however he was powerless to prevent the hosts taking a 2-0 lead in the 54th minute as another penalty was awarded to the home side.

Margate’s comeback started in the 63rd minute as Ben Greenhalgh sent a delightful cross into the box which was headed home by Cawley. It was all level 12 minutes later as as Greenhalgh and Cawley again linked up, with Cawley heading home his second of the evening.

Prestedge’s side completed the comeback three minutes later as Greenhalgh completed a hat-trick of assists as he whipped the ball in for Sam Blackman to poke home.

Neither side looked like scoring again with the final ten minutes ticking down as the Blues won their third pre-season game of the 2023/24 schedule.

Margate are back in action on Saturday as they travel to National League South side Tonbridge Angels, with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.

Goalscorer’s

Cawley 63’

Cawley 75’

Blackman 78’