Folkestone Invicta (H) - 10th April 2023

Article by Josh Cole

Easter Monday brings the visit of fellow Kent outfit Folkestone Invicta to Hartsdown Park for the final Kent Derby of the season.

The ‘Gate suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Haringey Borough on Good Friday conceding a 92nd minute goal scored by substitute Sam Owusu. However, despite this result against Haringey, Margate’s stay in the Isthmian Premier Division for next season was mathematically confirmed after Bowers & Pitsea lost 4-0 at home to Bognor Regis. Folkestone, on the other hand, drew 0-0 with Carshalton Athletic in their match on Good Friday.

Two positives to take from the game on Good Friday was that we welcomed back Harry Hudson and Harrison Hatfull back from injury! Ade Cole is also available for the game against Folkestone with Roberts and Fisher still being ruled out injured.

The ‘Gate and Invicta have played 12 times since October 2013 with Margate winning four, Folkestone winning five and three games ending level. The last time we faced Folkestone earlier in the season was on January 2nd where unfortunately we were beaten 4-0 at The BuildKent Stadium. We also faced each other in the Velocity Cup fourth round on Tuesday 22nd November, where we came out 1-0 winners at Hartsdown Park thanks to a goal in the 27th minute from James Bessey-Saldanha.

The Invicta have struggled in their last five matches losing four games to Aveley (2-1), Lewes (1-2), Bowers & Pitsea (3-1), and Kingstonian (1-3) but last time out they stopped the losing streak by drawing 0-0 with Carshalton. The ‘Gate have had slightly better results than their opposition, losing three games to Bognor (1-0), Aveley (0-1), and Haringey (1-0) but two good results against Lewes (2-2) and Hornchuch (2-3).

Not with us at Hartsdown Park for the final Kent Derby? Then head over to our official twitter @margatefc_ for live match updates commencing 2:15pm onwards and keep up to date with what’s happening.

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