We need to start scoring goals, says Trott - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Margate player-manager Robin Trott will be disconsolate if his side misses out on promotion out of the Ryman Premier League this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Injuries, suspensions and postponements caused by the wet weather that has battered Kent in the past few weeks have conspired against the promotion chasing manager.

His defensive partner, Pat Sappleton put through his own net to hand Staines Town all the points at Wheatsheaf Park yesterday.

And with Hampton & Richmond Borough stealing the points in a controversial 3-1 win at Tonbridge Angels, Margate, as we stand before AFC Wimbledon’s eighteen point deduction, have dropped out of the play-off zone and are four points adrift of the last play-off berth.

But Trott wants the luck that has deserted the Thanet club to return, especially as their next five make-or-break games are at Hartsdown Park in a hectic fifteen day period.

Trott demands maximum points from their games against Leyton, Heybridge Swifts, Horsham, Walton & Hersham and Billericay Town during this busy period.

Reflecting on their 1-0 defeat yesterday, Trott, whose expected to be without Steve McKimm against Leyton on Tuesday night, said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk:  “Well, it was an own goal - just our luck at the moment.

“We’re not scoring goals and we just need one to kick-start us off again.”

“I want to go for top-spot. We are still good enough but we still need that one goal to kick-start us off again.”

Margate have failed to find the back of the net in their last three games and have picked up just one point - a goalless draw at AFC Wimbledon - from their last five outings.

Striker Danny Hockton has been stuck on 31 goals for the past six games but Trott will be hoping his side can get back on track against Leyton.

“It’s just turning the tide again and that’s what we have to do,” he said.

Leyton, a side that Margate thumped 4-0 in east London at the end of October, started a run of five straight wins for the Thanet club - and Trott wants his side to emulate that sequence.

“They are either good or bad really,” Trott said of visitors Leyton.

“They’ve got a couple of good midfielders and they’re a passing team and have beat a few of the top teams and (will be looking to get) revenge (on) us.

“We beat them 4-0 down there, which was a turning point.

“We just need that lucky break and it can’t come sooner enough. The play-off’s are still there and the top of the league is still there and we’ve got to play the top teams so there’s still points to grab so it’s so important we get a roll.”

After their five successive home games, Margate lock horns against Slough Town (away), Ramsgate (home), Chelmsford City (away), Ashford Town (Middlesex, home) and end the season with a trip to Hendon.

Trott added: “If it comes to the end of the season we don’t make the play-off’s I’ll be so gutted as we should have smashed this league apart with the team we’ve had, and the teams in this league know we’ve got a good team.”


Ryman Premier League table (top 9)

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com

Margate v Leyton
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 20^th March 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5QZ