Margate v Hendon
Ryman League Premier Division
Hartsdown Park
Saturday September 10th 2011
Hendon take their unbeaten record to the Isle of Thanet tomorrow as they travel to meet Margate in what promises to be a closely fought encounter at Hartsdown Park. Games between the two sides are rarely dull and often decided by the odd goal. The Greens are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Margate, who in turn are unbeaten in their last 4 visits to Hendon.
The ‘Gate have enjoyed a solid start to the new season under the returning Chris Kinnear currently sitting 8th having taken 8 points from their first 5 matches, their one defeat coming at home to Lowestoft Town who went back up the east coast with a 4-1 win under their belts. Their two wins have come against Aveley at home, 3-0, and last weekend at Horsham whom they beat 2-1. After a few seasons of on field and off field uncertainty, the Blues’ supporters will be encouraged by this start and can look forward to the future with a certain degree of optimism.
It was just over 2 years ago that Margate finished in that dreaded 19th place in the division. Although history dictated that they would probably survive, Greens fans can tell you from experience that it is a very unpleasant feeling on the final day knowing that in all honesty, you deserve to be relegated. Margate finished 2 points behind 18th placed Boreham Wood but like Wood themselves, Harrow and ourselves before them (and Aveley last season), financial mismanagement from clubs in other leagues and other clubs deciding to ‘voluntarily’ drop down the pyramid saved them from the drop. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with any club that accepts a reprieve from relegation, quite the opposite in fact, but I find it increasingly depressing that relegation and promotion issues are almost decided more often these days at League AGMs than they are by on field performance. More on that I’m sure come the end of the season.
As with most Greens fans I suspect my memories of matches at Margate will forever be tainted with the rollercoaster of emotions that we went through on the final day of the 2005/6 season. Needing a win to have any chance of avoiding finishing in the bottom four, things began well. Jeff Campbell converted an Andy Cook to give those of us behind the goal hope. Some thought the lead had been increased on the quarter hour mark when Ricci Crace netted from close range, albeit with his hand. I could barely believe our luck when the referee signaled a goal to apoplectic rage from anyone wearing a blue shirt within 25 yards. Luckily for ‘Gate, the assistant had spotted the infringement and the goal was ruled out. Crace for his part was booked for being a cheeky little sod.
Margate responded well and began to bombard the Hendon goal. Rikki Banks made a couple of decent stops and the frame of the goal seemed to be a couple of yards thick as the ball kept rebounding off it. Robin Trott, Pat Gradley and Lee Protheroe were the unfortunate trio to be denied. In amongst the desperation at that end, the Greens broke to double their lead 8 minutes before the break as Crace buried Blaise O’Brien’s pass. 2-0 up at the break, Hendon’s goal leading a charmed life. Luck was most definitely on our side.
That all changed soon enough after the break. I can’t actually bring myself to describe my feelings as O’Brien scuffed a shot inches (about 230 of them) wide of a gaping, inviting net from no more than 10 yards out. Predictably Margate flew down the other end and within 3 minutes had drawn level, Danny Hockton netting both times. Spencer Knight added a third and we all knew, deep down the game was up. Lee Protheroe’s fourth goal late on merely confirmed our worst fears. 39 points over 42 matches simply wasn’t good enough, not that it would have made any difference in the end due to Wealdstone winning as well. I have never felt so deflated upon hearing the final whistle of a football match, particularly knowing that survival would merely have papered over the many cracks. In the end of course, the demise of Jeff King’s money at Canvey Island and their reluctance to try playing in the Premier Division of the Ryman League saved us, much like Grays’ preference of Division 1 North football saved Margate just over a year ago.
Margate’s financial woes have been well documented elsewhere over the last few years and credit has to go to Keith Piper and his board of directors for steadying the ship and getting the club on a stable footing. Last season saw Iain O’Connell’s side finish 16th, comfortably outside the relegation dogfight but also saw the former Great Wakering boss and on-pitch hero of Gate’s march to the Conference in the 90s depart towards the end of the season and replaced full time in the summer by the architect of those glory years, Chris Kinnear. It remains to be seen whether Kinnear can weave his old magic, and of course there is the old adage about ‘never going back’, but after a summer where it felt like he was announcing a new signing every other day, early signs are looking good for a season towards the top end of the table.
Kinnear is being assisted this season by Jake Leberl who accumulated plenty of experience playing for, amongst others, Dagenham & Redbridge, Margate and Dover. Former Ramsgate keeper Jack Smelt has taken the number 1 shirt for every match this season so far, whilst former Bromley man Mark Corneille has started the last 2 matches at right back whilst Dean Hill is likely to start at left back. Craig Cloke, Dean Pooley and Laurence Ball will contest the centre halve spots, although Ball began the season at right back. Richard Avery and Dan Stubbs have done the donkey work in midfield so far, Matt Bodkin provides width along with most likely either Liam Coleman or Curtis Robinson on the other flank. Up front Tom Bradbrook and Kwesi Appiah are sure to give the Hendon back four a stern test with the two men equally sharing 6 goals already this season between them.
For the Greens, Gary McCann has a choice to make in goal where Sean Thomas has now enjoyed a couple of weeks training but Berkeley Laurencin has impressed overall at the start of the season. Definitely missing are Jerome Federico and Aaron Morgan, who injured his foot in the challenge that saw him dismissed on Sunday. Definitely available though will be Byron Bubb who has rejoined the club in the week for his third spell at the club. I’ll be honest, I have mixed feelings about the signing. In his first spell, at times, he was absolutely unplayable. He had pace, skill, and one of the best right foots I’ve seen a Hendon player possess. If things didn’t go his way in the first 20 minutes or so of a game though, then the chances are you wouldn’t much notice him having any real impact on proceedings. That was the case in his brief 2nd spell in 2005/6 more often than not sadly and since leaving Claremont Road first time around, he’s collected more clubs than the Flinstones. That said, there is no doubting his talent, and if that can be harnessed then there’s no reason why he won’t prove to be a useful asset over the coming weeks and months. He’s gained a lot of experience, not least when winning 10 caps for Grenada, and can add a bit of pace and quality in wide areas where I think we’ve struggled a little. Whatever happens, I wish him all the best for his stay at the club.
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| Byron Bubb in International Mode |
So, what do I think is likely to happen? I’d be quite happy with a point to keep our unbeaten record going into our midweek game with East Thurrock. Margate won’t be an easy side to beat, they look decent on paper and are coming off the back of taking 4 points from 2 away matches in Sussex. I’m going to go for a 1-1 draw.
For anyone who might be interested, and can’t get to the game I would seriously urge you to tune into live commentary of the game streamed on the Margate website. I listened to it last season when we drew 1-1 and I have to say, the coverage was outstanding.
Other Predictions
AFC Hornchurch v Tooting & Mitcham
The Urchins will be looking to build on last week’s win at Met Police and get their first home points on the board against a Tooting side, which is already much changed from the start of the season and will be badly looking to find some consistency. I think the home side will be too strong though.
Verdict: 2-0 home win
Bury Town v Met Police
Two sides looking to bounce back from defeats, Bury suffering at the hands of Wealdstone whilst the Old Bill have lost their last two against Hornchurch and in midweek at Wingate & Finchley.
Verdict: 2-1 Fuzz suffer in Suffolk
Carshalton Athletic v Billericay Town
The Robins bounced back well from 3 straight defeats against Hastings last weekend and will be hoping to launch a bit of a run. They come up against a Billericay side bang in goalscoring form having notched up 10 in their last 2 matches against much fancied Bury and Kingstonian.
Verdict: 1-1 Stalemate
Concord Rangers v Hastings United
Both sides are currently struggling to make a real impact so far this season and will hope that victory will really kick start their respective seasons. Concord will be smarting after their 5 goal drubbing at Lowestoft last weekend whilst Hastings, who have also suffered a 5 goal beating in Suffolk already this season and have taken just 1 point from their last 3 matches. A tough one to call.
Verdict: 3-1 Concord lift off at last
East Thurrock United v Horsham
The Rocks warm up for their midweek visit to Vale Farm with the visit of Horsham who currently boast a 100% record on the road. After a first day win, East Thurrock have found life tough and taken just 1 point form their last 4 matches, failing to score in three of them. Another difficult one to call with both sides having lost their last 2.
Verdict: 2-0 to the Hornets.
Harrow Borough v Cray Wanderers
Harrow’s search for their first win of the season sees them taking on Cray Wanderers at Earlsmead. Dave Anderson is continuing to work hard to find the right mix to get their 3 points whilst Cray, boasting the division’s top scorer so far in 6 goal Leigh Bremner are on a terrific little run of 3 straight wins, it’s hard to see that changing tomorrow.
Verdict: 0-2 Boro search goes on
Kingstonian v Wealdstone
Wealdstone, buzzing after the first win of the season travel to Kingsmeadow where the K’s will be smarting after their crushing defeat at Billericay last week and keen to make amends in front of their own fans. To date, Alan Dowson has announced just the one new signing, Neil Jenkins coming in on loan from Sutton United. I wouldn’t be surprised if there were 2 or 3 other new faces in the side come tomorrow though. Stones enjoy a good record against the K’s, think they’ll have to settle for a point tomorrow.
Verdict 2-2 honours even
Leatherhead v Lowestoft Town
It’s difficult to see this as being anything other than an away banker unfortunately. Lowestoft are bang in form having scored 11 goals in their last 3 matches, with Michael Frew and Lubo Guentchev both averaging more than a goal every start at the moment. Leatherhead will definitely take heart from their point at Aveley last week, I don’t think this is the time they’ll be wanting to face the trawlerboys though.
Verdict: 0-3 A stroll again for Lowestoft
Lewes v Aveley
The Rooks will be looking to extend their 4 match unbeaten run against Aveley who will be urgently looking to convert draws into wins to propel them up the table. I think Lewes will prove too strong for the Millers though, particularly if Michael Malcolm shows the form he showed on Sunday at Vale Farm.
Verdict: 3-0 home win
Wingate & Finchley v Canvey Island
A tough one to call at the top of the table as Wingate, who drew level on points at the top of the table with Hendon on Tuesday evening look to stretch their unbeaten run against in form Canvey Island. With Leon Jones adding a couple more goals to his tally in midweek, I think he could prove the difference between the two sides, particularly if they don’t give Rob King the chance to score from the spot. Canvey have added impressively to their ranks with the signing of former Football Idol 2 star Anthony Cook on loan from Chelmsford.
Verdict: 1-0 Wingate nick it
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| New Canvey man Anthony Cook scoring for Chelmsford |
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