Brown Mulls Over Wingate Point

Margate were denied all three points due to some late heartbreak at Hartsdown Park on Saturday afternoon as Joint Manager Steve Brown was left to rue a 92nd minute equaliser.

Speaking after the match, Brown admitted the opposition managers struggled to pick much apart from a battling Bostik League encounter in testing winter conditions.

“I’ve just spoken to Glenn and he feels his side deserve a draw and from our perspective, being 1-0 down, getting our noses in front and the late manner of the goal, it makes it feel like we’ve dropped two points.”

“Yet, Louis Wells has made a couple of fantastic saves and we’ve had a few chances ourselves, so I think we’re probably more disappointed than them with 90 plus minutes gone. I thought we defended well especially in the second half, our shape behind the ball was spot on and we limited them to a couple of opportunities, so it was a killer-blow.”

Margate’s management team introduced two new signings to their starting eleven, both of whom impressed Brown with their displays.

“Louis set up the first goal, made a great claim, came out and does that side winder kick which hits George Brown and we score on the counter attack. Pax made a great overlap, brilliant delivery and found Murphs coming round the back to slot it in. It’s a fantastic move and he’s made some great saves, so it was a brilliant debut.”

“And I thought Connor was brilliant in midfield. I don’t think it’s a secret that Mike and I have been looking for a more defensive central midfielder to make us a bit more stable behind the ball when we are out of possession.”

“Connor is a utility player – he might not like me saying that – but he can play right-back, left-back, centre half and as we’ve seen today, can comfortably play centre midfield. He’s a great communicator and he doesn’t mind breaking up play with a robust challenge and he’s decent in the air.”

Brown added, “We feel we’ve added two players with good experience and savvy at this level and I think you’ve seen two terrific performances.”

“It’s nice to make some permanent signings and it’s not a criticism of anybody but we’ve made signings who are vocal and experienced at this level. Louis has played in several different leagues and Connor is the same. He’s come from Palace and played around, and he comes with a bit more experience than we’ve had of late and I think it has given everyone a lift.”

As a former centre-back, praise was also reserved for defender Ben Swift who scored The Gate’s second of the afternoon with a clinical finish from the edge of the box.

“It was a great finish and it’s a bonus for us as I normally focus on Friendy and Swifty with regards to how they defend.”

“It’s funny as a couple of weeks ago we spoke about where the long throw might end up and how you’ve got to surround the area for the second phase, which is what Swifty did. The ball has got knocked down and bang, he’s controlled it well and finished with good power.”

As both teams proved to cancel themselves out, Brown was pleased with the industrious work-rate his squad showed, especially in deteriorating conditions.

“The wind and rain came down hard in the second half and the players dealt with that well. From conceding a goal against the run of play, I thought they did well to get themselves ahead and whilst I have no complaints, as it happens - it’s just a shame for the group to not have got today over the line.”

“We were on the back of a sticky patch and we’ve gone up to Potters Bar and got what I thought was a really important result. It would have been so fantastic to hold on for that extra minute to get the three points today and then you get some momentum into the Christmas period.”

“We’ve got Lewes away next week which is tough and then Hornchurch and Whitehawk at home, so there’s an opportunity to pick up results. We haven’t lost today but it would have been brilliant to get six points ahead of Lewes, but we analyse what’s happened, dust ourselves off and get ready for the next game.”

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