County cups can be viewed from different perspectives, a chance to give fringe squad players much needed game time, a chance to give youngsters some valuable experience, a chance to relax and put to one side the pressures of a league campaign whether challenging at the top or bottom. An opportunity to progress in a tournament where the final will be held this year at the Preistfield Stadium, Gillingham.

The Millers will I suspect be putting all of the above on the agenda for this quarter final tie at Margate. No wins in the league in the last six matches, five of which have ended in defeat and slipping to ninth place in the league could lead to an argument it is a game they could do without. On the other hand a chance maybe to restore some confidence and feel good factor around the club that was very much in evidence prior to the last six games. Indeed it seems a long while ago now but the side had gone 13 games unbeaten.

Wins in the previous rounds 3-1 at Isthmian Premier side Folkestone Invicta through goals by Hassan Ibrahiym 2 and Adam Coombes followed by a 1-0 home win against Vanarama National League side Bromley with Adam Coombes again on the scoresheet have earned the Millers a quarter final tie at Hartsdown Park against Isthmian Premier side Margate.

Tommy Osborne the Millers manager has called into the squad three from the U18 Isthmian League side who having been doing well this season in both the league and league cup. We wish Sinayomi (Will) Abiola, Dexter Gilchrist and striker Johnathan Lawson all the best. Also likely to appear in the squad are Christopher Alhassan and Jack Kirby two youngsters who are dual registered with Bridon Ropes and have been gaining experience training with our first team. A chance also for youngsters Andre Edionhon Silvera who made his debut as a late substitute in Saturdays defeat at Faversham Town and goalkeeper Jacob Bennett who has sat on the bench in recent weeks. The rest of the match day squad will in all likelihood be determined by who is fully fit. Thomas Chambers is available again after serving his three match suspension for his sending off against Chichester City.

Margate won 5-0 at Faversham Town and 3-0 at home to Sheppey United in the previous rounds. They currently sit in 16th place from 33 games in the Isthmian Premier Division. They are nine points clear of the fourth from bottom side Bowers & Pitsea. Top goalscorer in all competitions is Ben Greenhaigh on 13. In second place is Cameron Brodie on 6 a loanee who has just been recalled by his club Dartford.

Margate chairman Ricky Owen has recently appointed Reece Prestedge as the club’s new manager with Ben Greenhalgh remaining as his assistant until the end of this season. The pair had originally been appointed on a temporary basis following the departure of Andy Drury on Boxing Day. It will be interesting to see if Margate also take the opportunity of fielding some youngsters tonight.

Recent Club History:
Margate had a spell in the “Conference” leagues early in the 21st century but endured a “nomadic” period away from their Hartsdown Park headquarters – sharing with Dover Athletic and Ashford Town while planned redevelopment work was scheduled to take place. They then had a further season in the National League South in 2015/16 which ended in relegation back to the Isthmian League. Now back at Hartsdown Park where it is hoped in time major plans for development of the ground will come to fruition.

Nickname:
The Gate

SEASON 2022/23 LEAGUE FORM GUIDE (last six games)
Margate
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Cray Valley (PM)
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MATCH DETAILS

DATE:- TUESDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, KICK-OFF 7.45PM

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee - Jack Packman
Assistants - Ryan Chantrill-Smith and William Sanderson

ADMISSION - HALF PRICE SPECIAL OFFER AGREED
ADULTS : £6
CONCESSIONS: £4
YOUNG PERSONS (11-17): £1
CHILDREN U11: Free

VENUE :-
HARTSDOWN PARK, HARTSDOWN ROAD, MARGATE, CT9 5QZ
(APPROX JOURNEY TIME FROM THE ARTIC STADIUM –75 MINS, 66 MILES)

DIRECTIONS –
From junction 2 of the M25 take the A2 and then the M2 towards Dover. On reaching the end of M2 take the A299 towards Margate.
Stay on the A299 for 16 miles until you reach the roundabout and take the 2nd turning for the A28 towards Margate.
After 4 miles you will see the Margate boundary sign, and the dual carriage way will become a 2-way road.
After passing the BP garage and a pub called the Hussar, both on the right, you will pass through a set of traffic lights, take the 2nd right onto George V Avenue (signposted Ramsgate A254), and follow it up and around to the left passing the Hartsdown Academy School on your right.
At the end of this road you will reach a T junction, turn right into Hartsdown Road.
The entrance to the ground is a little further down on the left-hand side.

Website : https://www.margate-fc.co.uk

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Kent Senior Cup First Round
30 Nov 2021 - Margate 5 Cray Valley (PM) 0
Cray fielded a young side comprising mostly players from the U18 squad.
Match report and photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/2-11196738/report

Pre-Seasn Friendly
11 Aug 2020 - Cray Valley (PM) 4 Margate 0
Match Report and photos:
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/teams/228820/match-centre/0-4868654/report