FA Trophy Special: Ashby relishing his first Trophy tie

MARGATE welcome fellow Ryman Premier League side Hendon to Hartsdown Park on Saturday in the first qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy, writes Steve Wells.

The Blues’ form has improved markedly and but for more effective team-work at the back against Hastings United, they would be unbeaten in four games.

Last week’s 1-0 win at Dartford was certainly a timely fillip for Margate and with a little more composure in front of goal, the victory would have surely have been much more convincing.

Goalkeeper Scott Chalmers-Stevens played in the 2-1 win over Ashford Town in a reserve match in midweek, although he is expected to watch the Hendon Trophy tie on the bench.

Louis Smith is expected to be out for between five and seven months with a cruciate ligament injury. Former Maidstone United goalkeeper, Pat Mullin (broken metatarsal) is still some way off a return, although Roberto Corbishley (ankle) is edging closer to a return to action.

Margate boss, Barry Ashby, speaking to www.margate-fc.com, is relishing the Trophy tie at Hartsdown Park - his first as manager.

“I think everyone likes the atmosphere of any cup,” he said.

“I think we got a right old walloping at Worthing (in the FA Cup) when we weren’t on it, so I’m looking for a much better response.

“It’s a home game so we want to try and improve our home form as best we can.”

Margate, currently sixth-bottom in the Ryman Premier League table, one place above their Thanet rivals Ramsgate, go into the game against a Hendon side that have used four different venues for their last four home games, following their eviction from Claremont Road.

But Hendon go into this game, having thumped Harrow Borough 7-0 last night at Northwood’s Chestnut Avenue ground, although Boro’, who welcome Chatham Town on Saturday, had their goalkeeper and skipper sent off.

Ashby is looking forward to locking horns with respected Hendon boss, Gary McCann.

He said: “Hendon we know (are) in a bit of trouble. A good friend of mine, Gary McCann is a very good manager and I’m sure he’ll be working his socks off to make sure they’re prepared so when they come to us they’ll (try to) turn us over.

“I’ll be doing exactly the same with our team.”

Article courtesy of www.margate-fc.com

Margate v Hendon
FA Carlsberg Trophy First Qualifying Round
Saturday 18^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5QZ