After last season’s playoff defeat at Hartsdown Park there’s a heavy dollop of revenge waiting to be served up, the 2-1 win for Margate scuppering Dulwich Hamlet’s promotion prospects, ending an Indian Sign that the Hamlet had held over them for some time.

The ‘Gate went on to clinch that coveted second promotion spot behind champions Maidstone United after a fractious final away to Hendon with Ryan Moss bagging the sole goal that ensured Margate’s elevation to the National League South alongside their Kentish rivals. Meanwhile Dulwich Hamlet would return to Champion Hill to rebuild, regroup and prepare to assault the Ryman Premier Division summit once more.

Moss had proved a talismanic striker for the ‘Gate that season. Not only had he led the scoring charts but he had drawn first blood in that much delayed semi-final, out-leaping Phil Wilson to nod in. But the world turns and now Moss will be in another camp, a key cog in the Dulwich Hamlet attack.

After opening the season with back-to-back draws at home to Truro City and on the road at Whitehawk life in the new surroundings of the National League South provided something of a struggle for the newly promoted ‘Gate. Of their first eight games, four were drawn, four were lost and it was not until their hit mid-September that they found winning ways. A first win was registered away to Eastbourne Borough with Margate motoring into a 3-0 lead by the half hour as Jamie Taylor bagged a double, the ‘Gate running out 4-1 winners at fulltime. Better was to follow as Margate ended Gosport Borough’s fine run of form on a Tuesday night in Hampshire. Gosport had only lost once all season and were yet to be beaten at home. However, goals from Luke Moore and superb team goal finished off by Freddie Ladapo ensured an upset as the Blues sealed back-to-back wins for the first time.

The winning run continued in the FA Cup as Margate marched into the 3rd Qualifying Round with a comfortable 5-1 win at Potters Bar Town. A brace from Kane Wills along with goals from Charlie Wassmer, Danny Green and Ryan Moss was enough to book another meeting with Truro City. However back at Hartsdown Park the winless run continued as they went down 2-0 at home to Weston-Super-Mare before exiting the Kent Senior Cup at the hands of Steve McKimm’s Tonbridge Angels.

The FA Cup once more provided a fillip for the club. Though Margate found themselves trailing early on to a Craig Duff goal for the Cornishmen, Danny Green and Freddie Lapado struck back in first half stoppage time to turn the tie on its head. After the break the ‘Gate turned on the gas and never looked back as goals from Brett Johnson and Jamie Taylor. That first home win had been a long time coming.

Taylor was once more on target as the Blues returned to league action battling their way to a draw away to highflying Oxford City but their FA Cup dreams were shattered at home to National League leaders, Forest Green Rovers. In front of a 1300+ crowd at Hartsdown Park, and with the TV cameras beaming the action into the homes of the nation, Margate gave of their all against their lofty opponents but it was to no avail. Keanu Marsh-Brown gave Rovers the lead with four minutes left to the interval only for Luke Moore to level things with a neat lob after 69 minutes. However, that lead would last just five minutes Kurtis Guthrie’s diving header sealing the tie in the visitors’ favour.

October closed with a third meeting with Truro City, Margate making the long trip into the heart of Poldark Country but returning empty handed. Almost carbon copies of Margate’s openers in the earlier FA Cup tie, City bagged two quick goals before the break and though Kane Wills reduced the arrears with less than a quarter hour left, time proved the enemy as Margate made the long journey home pointless.

Dangerously close to the relegation zone, Margate responded in fine fashion doing a demolition job on Havant and Waterlooville seven days later. Though holding the whip hand for much of the first half, it was not until a devastating eight-minute spell had the start of the second half that the ‘Gate turned that domination into goals. Bang after the break Freddie Lapado notched the first, added a second on 53 minutes before, straight from the restart, setting up Solomon Taiwo to head in number three. Havant did grab a consolation but in injury time a Luke Moore penalty emphasised an empathic win.

The goals continued to flow as Dulwich’s FA Cup conquerors Whitehawk touched down in Kent, the right goals just not necessarily in the right net for those sitting in the blue corner. In a dingdong first half the sides shared four goals with four more to come after the break. Unfortunately for Margate all will fall the way of the Hawks as Steve King’s side ran out resounding 6-2 winners. The Jekyll and Hyde performances of Terry Brown’s men continued as Jake Goodman nodded in 87th minute equaliser to salvage a point at home to Bath City before a tight game away to Hemel Hempstead Town was edged in Margate’s favour by the odd goal in three. Kane Wills' second half effort secured victory after Freddie Ladapo's goal early on had been cancelled out by Oliver Hawkins' penalty.

That win pushed Margate out of the bottom four but with just 18 points from their first eighteen points and things looking tight in the relegation zone the club must be casting envious eyes upwards towards their Kent rivals, Ebbsfleet United and Maidstone United currently setting the pace at the top of the table.

This Saturday’s game kicks off at 3.00 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 1.00 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

Please note – this game is ALL PAY. Season tickets are NOT valid for this game. Sorry!

ADMISSION PRICES

£10 for Adults
£4 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (JSA), Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £2-00