Margate welcome Kent rivals Herne Bay to Hartsdown Park looking to make it seven wins on the bounce as they hope to continue their fight for a place in this season’s Isthmian South-East Division play-offs.
They remain six points behind Jersey Bulls and Sittingbourne with just four games to go despite their six wins on the bounce, which was extended on Saturday with a superb 2-0 away win at 3rd placed AFC Whyteleafe, who had won eight games in a row themselves.
Hopes of a play-off place remain slim, however Manager Ben Greenhalgh who made his 250th appearance for the ‘Gate on Saturday refuses to give up on a 5th place finish until its mathematically impossible.
Monday’s visitors are under new management after former Ramsgate boss Ben Smith returned to the Bay last week, having won promotion with them to the Isthmian Premier Division in his last stint with the club.
Smith lost his first game with the visitors on Saturday as they were beaten 3-2 at home by relegation threatened Erith Town. Saturday’s defeat was a fourth straight loss for Herne Bay, who only have one win in their last 11 fixtures.
In contrast Margate are looking for a seventh straight win for the first time since 2018.
When these two met at Herne Bay in December, the ‘Gate ran out 3-1 winners with goals from Sam Blackman (2) and Ben Greenhalgh.
The last time these two sides met at Hartsdown Park it was the August Bank Holiday in 2024 as they shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw.
As well as six wins a row, the Blues have five clean sheets on the bounce too and will be looking to extend that on Monday. Margate’s best run of clean sheets is currently seven which they achieved over 50 years ago in the 1974/75 season.
Kick-off at Hartsdown Park is scheduled for 3pm with gates open from 1:30pm. Tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking here.
