Saunders Reflects On Hornchurch Point

Margate Manager Jay Saunders took plenty of positives away from his side’s opening away fixture of the 2019/20 season.

Two sublime free-kicks from Kadell Daniel earned The Gate their first point on the road and despite surrendering their lead on two occasions, Saunders believes the 90 minutes will have taught his young side some lessons to take forward.

“I think before the game, we would have taken a point against Hornchurch. They’re an experienced side and tipped to top the League.”

“I thought we started slowly and failed to get to grips with their shape but once we did, we got into the game and scored a good free-kick. From that, for the next 15 minutes I felt we were comfortable.”

“We then conceded a poor goal which comes from a young back line and some confusion which will happen with a new squad and we can’t be too harsh on them.”

Saunders concluded, “We had to hang on for the last five to ten minutes as they finished strongly. I thought once we made the changes at the break, we looked better and they didn’t really cause us many problems.”

In open play, Saunders commented on the number of chances his team created and believes as the campaign continues, so too will The Gate’s clinical edge in front of goal.

“We’ve had plenty of chances away from home which is positive. We’ve hit the post, had a strong penalty shout and Kudus had plenty of chances, Noel too and Adem came close for us. Their goals came a bit against the run of play and that was disappointing.”

Reflecting on the two goals scored by Margate, there was plenty of praise for Daniel but Saunders believes there is even more to come from his team across the attacking third.

“Kadell has got quality and if he gets chances, he will score. It’s not happened for him yet in open play but his two minutes of quality have earned us something this evening.”

“I’m more disappointed with the chances we missed. If you come away from home and create those chances, then that’s a positive but I feel disappointed with the goals we conceded.”

Saunders added, “I thought we defended our box really well. Swifty and DJ were outstanding but like I say, we’ve got to be patient. We are a new squad, we are a young squad and we have to learn from this. To come here and get a point is not a bad return.”

A final word was reserved for Gianni Ashley who made his competitive debut for the club.

“We felt at half-time, Harrsion (Pont) who has come from playing Kent League into this level, it was a tough evening for him against their experience.”

“That’s something he admitted himself and we felt by putting Sess in there he would give us more legs and experience, so we slotted Gianni in at the back. He’s quick, he’s not played this level before but he’s only going to get better over time.”

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