The ‘Gate continue pushing for the playoffs in the Isthmian South-East as we welcome Hythe Town to Hartsdown Park!
Last time out we beat Steyning Town 1-3 away from home! Read the match report from that game by clicking here.
After that last win, view how the table looks heading into this weekend by clicking here!
If you haven’t already, you can pick up your tickets for this match by clicking here.
HYTHE TOWN – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:
After a replay with Abbey Rangers, Hythe were knocked out of the FA Cup in the extra preliminary round. But on opening day they beat Phoenix Sports, only to lose their next three games, including in the FA Trophy first qualifying round.
They managed to get their second league win, beating Herne Bay but then lost another three games, which saw them be knocked out of the Velocity Cup. Hythe did however progress into the Kent Senior Cup second round with a win against Sheppey. Their league form worsened and this time they went four games without a win, which included a 6-0 drubbing against Sittingbourne. They also were knocked out of the Kent Senior Cup by Deal in the second round.
Again, at home, they won, this time vs Lancing and their form picked up compared to the rest of the season as they lost before drawing with Herne Bay, then lost another two games before winning against Steyning Town and drawing against Littlehampton. After this draw they lost seven games in a row, which spanned from the start of December through to a win at home against AFC Croydon on the 8th of February.
They couldn’t continue that win into the midweek home game against Broadbridge Heath, as they lost 1-2. After this, Hythe had a run of five consecutive away games in which The Cannons won once, drew once, and lost the other three. Unfortunately their results didn’t get any better and in their last four games before this match at HDP, they only picked up one point after a 2-2 draw with Deal, and now they are staring down the barrel of relegation with six games left of the season, and a nine-point gap to safety.
LAST FIVE: MARGATE
2-4 Win vs Eastbourne Town, away (League)
0-3 Loss vs Sittingbourne, home (League)
1-1 Draw vs Broadbridge Heath, home (League)
4-1 Win vs Littlehampton, home (League)
1-3 Win vs Steyning Town, away (League)
LAST FIVE: HYTHE TOWN
2-1 Loss vs East Grinstead, away (League)
2-2 Draw vs Deal Town, home (League)
5-0 Loss vs Burgess Hill, away (League)
1-2 Loss vs Sittingbourne, home (League)
0-1 Loss vs East Grinstead, home (League)
IN THE REVERSE FIXTURE:
The 2024/25 Margate team have made the Club’s history books for the most consecutive away wins (ten) after beating Hythe Town 2-3, they have toppled a record that has stood since 1937!
It didn’t start great for The ‘Gate as in the 13th minute of play, Hythe took the lead. Hythe won the ball back high in Margate’s half and at the back post it looked like Tom Wray had caught the ball but Javaun Splatt knocked it out and into the net.
Despite Margate pressure right up until halftime as we searched for an equaliser, it would stay 1-0 going into the interval.
Just five minutes into the second half, we were level, through Max Walsh! A long diagonal ball from Harry Hudson found Ben Allen at the back post and he played the ball across the six-yard box for Walsh to turn home!
Unfortunately, Hythe would regain the lead in the 81st minute as an unmarked Anthony Adesite at the back-post would finish past Wray.
In the 92nd minute, Margate would grab an equaliser for the second time in the match. Another long diagonal ball this time found the head of Ben Greenhalgh and he directed the ball into the path of Allen, who struck the ball past the ‘keeper at the near post!
Then… ten minutes deep into added time for the second half a volley from Tyrone Sterling was flicked on by Allen and into the net, giving The ‘Gate a dramatic late winner!
STATS COMPARISON IN ALL COMPS:
MARGATE:
Matches played: 48
Goals scored: 95
Goals conceded: 53
GD: +42
Clean sheets: 16
HYTHE TOWN:
Matches played: 42
Goals scored: 38
Goals conceded: 97
GD: -59
Clean sheets: 3
MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee: Benjamin Marshall
Assistants: Amarachi Okamgba & Piotr Zachwieja
UP THE ‘GATE
