31staug04

Margate captain Annon asks for more time

MARGATE captain Darren Annon admits a good work ethic helped them beat Eastbourne Borough in the Nationwide South, writes Steve Wells.

Speaking to the club's website, he said: "We played a lot better because the boys worked harder.

"We won a lot more balls in the middle of the park, and played more consistently in both halves of the pitch."

It was just the tonic for Chris Kinnear's men after they were thumped 6-0 by full-time Essex side Grays Athletic in the previous game, at Ashford Town's Homelands ground.

Annon, however, revealed everyone was down and asking themselves questions following their worse defeat of this season.

"Everybody was rightly down, looking at each other, no-one really knew what had gone wrong," he said.

"There were lots of things coming out; we hadn't played many pre-season friendlies; some of the boys aren't really on it at the moment; we've had new players come in; six players had left; it's been hard for the ones that have stayed."

However, the former Carshalton Athletic player, admitted the Nationwide South division is much different to the main Conference.

He said: "This league is very different compared to the (national) Conference.  It's very kick and rush, but with a little more time I'm sure we'll see a lot more performances like we've seen against Eastbourne.

"On our day, I think we have got two of the better strikers in this league, and when we're going forward I don't think there are many teams like us.

"Apart from the second half against Grays, we've had lots of chances so far this season."

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Annon added: "We have proved that we can play, but we know we have still got a bit of work to do - to get to the level we think we should be at."

However, he gives a message to the club's long-suffering fans.  He said: "For the fans and for the players, we're getting there - we're starting to gel.

"I don't think there would have been many teams that would have been able to stay with us in this league, but losing six front line players - that would be a blow to any team.

"So we need another 5-6 games, see where we are in the league table and I'll be able to say where I think we'll end up in the league.

"Ideally, we'd love to win the league, but even if we get into the play-off's, I'd say that would be an achievement."

Annon admitted it was difficult for him and the rest of the team, as the future of the club hanged in the balance right up to the start of the season.

He said: "The players that were left were training all summer, not knowing if there would still be a club.

"Up to the third pre-season friendly, we didn't know what we would be doing this season.

"So if the fans just hold on, and give us a bit more time, just stick with us, and we'll come good soon.  We are getting there."

www.margate-fc.com