Margate return to Hartsdown Park on Saturday as they face a resurgent Hastings United side in the Isthmian South-East clash.
The ‘Gate will be looking to bounce back from a difficult afternoon in West Sussex last Saturday which saw Ben Greenhalgh’s side play the second half with just nine men, after goalkeeper Tom Wray and Midfielder Sam Blackman were sent off, leaving Greenhalgh between the sticks in a 3-0 defeat against the table toppers Three Bridges.
Before last weeks crazy afternoon, the Blues had been on an exceptional run of ten games unbeaten which had dragged Greenhalgh’s side back into the play-off places after a tough start to the season.
Saturday’s visitors arrive in Kent with a renewed confidence after a disappointing start to life at step 4 after last seasons relegation from the Isthmian Premier Division. The ‘U’s’ have climbed to 16th in the division having won their last two games. Since changing managers in October, Saturday’s visitors have only lost twice in their last eight games. Last weekend they continued their improved form with a 3-1 away win at Erith Town.
Recent form for the ‘Gate in this fixture has not been kind. It will be the first meeting between the sides with Greenhalgh in charge, however the ‘Gate haven’t won any of the previous four meetings, losing three and drawing one.
‘Gate fans will have to go back to 2016 for their last win against Hastings, an FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Replay win at Pilots Field. For their last league win over the ‘U’s’, the ‘Gate have to go right back to 2012 when a Kwesi Appiah hat-trick contributed to a 4-1 win at Hartsdown Park.
Greenhalgh will be without Wray and Blackman who are suspended after last weekend’s red cards. There will be hope that Tom Derry could feature again after he returned last weekend from the bench after a long lay-off with an ankle injury.
Kick-off at Hartsdown Park is scheduled for 3pm with gates open at 1:30pm.
