The players have put themselves in a fantastic position and we need to continue that, says Margate assistant Mike Sandmann

MARGATE assistant manager Mike Sandmann says he is delighted with his players for keeping so many clean sheets.

Steven Watt’s side are in second-place in the Bostik Premier Division table with 66 points on the board from 34 games and are fighting it out for a play-off place in their final 12 league games.

Billericay Town are top of the pile on 67 points but have only played 28 league games and have suffered back-to-back defeats to Leiston and Folkestone Invicta.

Margate are next, followed by Dulwich Hamlet (64 points from 32 games), Folkestone Invicta (62 points from 33 games) and Hendon (59 points from 32 games).

Margate travel to play Needham Market tomorrow, a side that are in the bottom four on 35 points from 33 games, six points clear of Burgess Hill Town, whom occupy the sole relegation berth.

“After another fantastic result and clean sheet we look forward to Needham Market on Saturday,” said Sandmann, who saw Margate beat Burgess Hill Town 2-0 last time out.

“We are in great form, unbeaten in 11 games with seven clean sheets in the process.  The clean sheets have been an important factor throughout the season and is the basis of us being where we are in the league.

“Huge credit has to go to the whole squad for that, not just the defenders. 

“We speak a lot out about our defensive shape as a team and the importance of hard work and protecting central areas of the pitch, which is evidently being a success.

“We go into the game full of confidence but concentrating on getting three points to continue pushing to achieve a spot in the play-offs come the end of the season.

“There are still a lot of games to play and we are certainly not taking anything for granted.  The players have put themselves in a fantastic position and we need to continue that.

“We have a strong squad and togetherness throughout the whole club and it really makes a difference on the pitch.”

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.co.uk

Needham Market  v  Margate
Bostik Premier Division
Saturday 24 February 2018
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bloomfields, Quinton Road, Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 8DA