Trott set to make Margate debut

For just their second home game of 2006, Margate welcome Harrow Borough to Hartsdown for this Ryman League Premier Division game, writes Steve Wells - www.margate-fc.com

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Earlsmead earlier in the season, and both sides now find themselves at the “wrong” end of the table.

Margate’s current form can be viewed from two perspectives. It is now two defeats in the last six games, or one win in six. So by process of elimination, that’s three draws in six. The Blues continue to prove to be the league’s draw specialists with 12 stalemates from 26 starts. But the clear issue for Chris Kinnear’s side remains the challenge of turning possession and chances into goals. The acquisition of Danny Hockton will hopefully prove to be the catalyst for more goals. At just 27 scored in the league (37 in all competitions) the Blues still have one of the smallest “goals for” columns in the Ryman League Premier Division.

The player count continues to rise and clearly also raises special challenges for the manager and longer serving players alike. To date, 37 different players have donned the blue shirt in league and cup fixtures this season as Chris Kinnear knits together a side capable of competing for promotion. A significant amount of work is underway on the training ground and away from the pitch to complete this complex task. However, injuries not withstanding, there does look to be options in most positions – a blessing in comparison to last season!

New signing Robin Trott looks set to join Bill Edwards and James Donavan in the central back three, with Danny Hockton and Bertie Brayley continuing in attack. Hasim Deen should move back into midfield with Pat Gradley and one from Ian Hilaire, Scott Forbes and Lawrence Yiga. With Greg Oates secure at right wing-back, Dean Standen looks set to continue in place of Anthony Allman (hamstring).

Harrow Borough are currently two places and three points ahead of Margate in the table. Their midweek win over Bromley pulled them a little further away from the relegation zone and improved their current form ranking to 14. But probably their most impressive recent result was the 3-1 away victory over promotion chasing Hampton and Richmond.

Boro’s record would suggest they concede readily on their travels. To date, Harrow’s away goals count of 28 is the third worst in the division. But on the flip side, their “away goals for” ranks pretty much mid-table.

Harrow have announced that they have received a seven day approach from Heybridge Swifts for striker Elliot Onochie. The striker - signed last season from Staines Town – has hit 17 goals for Boro this season.

Harrow manager David Howell told www.harrowboro.com, “The likes of Ross Fitzsimon, Romain Le Roux and Danny Leech are still a little way off match fitness and it will take time until they are fully firing again. Marvin Neufville and Daniel Dyer are improving but the long trip to Margate might be too early for both of them.”

This is clearly an important game for both sides. A win for Harrow could take the Middlesex side up to 13th in the table, while Margate could climb above their visitors with a three goal victory.

Margate v Harrow Borough
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 28^th January 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Park, Margate