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Season 2008/09 Review
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Welcome to our review of the 2008/09 season. We’ll begin by looking back at some key stats then concentrate on the key matches througout the season. |
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Staines Town 4, MFC 1
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Just when a high tempo and aggressive performance was required, Gate went into their collective shell, and ultimately left Wheatsheaf Park a well beaten side and looking like they’ll be playing Ryman Division One football next season.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath |
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MFC 2, Sutton Utd 0
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Margate recorded another priceless win over play-off chasing Sutton United at an excitable Hartsdown Park this afternoon. A goal in each half was enough to keep the Blues in with a chance avoiding the drop.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Joe Healy
Kenny Pratt |
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MFC 1, Ramsgate 0
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Margate recorded a priceless and fully deserved 1-0 win over already relegated Thanet rivals Ramsgate in what was at times a tepid derby at Hartsdown Park this afternoon.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Dan Young |
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Heybridge Swifts 3, MFC 2
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For the second time in as many weeks, Gate went down by a 3-2 margin away from home as the quest to stay in the Ryman League Premier Division gets ever more challenging.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath |
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Harrow Borough 3, MFC 2
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In the proverbial game of two halves, Margate succumbed to three second half Harrow goals - when down to 10 men - after leading by two at the half time break. |
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Maidstone Utd 1, MFC 1
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In some respects the last seven days would appear to sum up the type of luck that Margate have had during 2008/09. From conceding a soft winner to Horsham on Saturday, through the elation of the Ryman League Management Committee’s decision to allow the Canvey Island 4-0 win to stand, to the news that defensive rock Liam Harwood had been recalled by Bristol Rovers - only to turn up at Carshalton 24 hours later - you can never tell what will happen next on the Blues’ roller-coaster ride, writes Paul Parkinson. |
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MFC 0, Horsham 1
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Margate lost at home for the first time since 3rd January (when champions elect Dover Athletic got the better of the Blues at Hartsdown Park) going down by an eighth minute Reggie Savage goal to nil.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Liam Harwood |
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MFC 0, Canterbury City 1 (Friendly)
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In a game dominated by both defences it took a wonderful goal by Darren Abbott to win the game for a hard working Canterbury City, writes Alan Anstice. |
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MFC 2, Dartford 2
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Margate’s good form continues and perhaps it should have been three points for the Blues against the play-off chasing Darts, at Hartsdown Park this afternoon.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Ryan Peters |
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Canvey Island 0, MFC 4
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Margate hit Canvey Island for four in tonight’s Ryman League Premier Division clash. But in extremely wet and windy conditions, the power supply to half the island was cut and the floodlights went with it. When the lights failed to come back on when power to some of the island was restored, the match was abandoned on 82 minutes but a Ryman League Board meeting on 16th March confirmed the result stands.
Match Commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath |
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W'ldstone 2, MFC 0
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Margate fails to make it four games unbeaten, suffering a 2-0 defeat at Wealdstone. Despite a good opening to the game, Gate were unable to capitalise and ultimately fell to two second half strikes from the home side. |
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MFC 3, Boreham Wood 1
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Margate recorded their third successive home win with a 3-1 victory over Boreham Wood at Hartsdown Park this afternoon. All the goals came in an action packed second period after a tepid first.
Match commentary (second half only recorded):
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Dan Young
Ryan Peters |
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Hastings United 1, MFC 1
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Margate held Hastings United to a 1-1 draw at the Pilot Field in this afternoon’s Ryman league Premier Division clash. Defender Luke Wheatley with his second goal of the season scored for Gate. |
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MFC 2, Tooting & Mitcham Utd 0
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Margate recorded their fourth home win, and their second in succession at Hartsdown Park, against Tooting and Mitcham this afternoon.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Wayne Wilson |
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Tonbridge Angels 1, MFC 0
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Margate can consider themselves unfortunate to have left Longmead with nothing to show for another disciplined yet battling performance, but they were ultimately beaten by a goal to nil by the play-off chasing Tonbridge Angels.
Match commentary highlights:
First Half (26 minutes)
Second Half (21 minutes)
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath |
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MFC 2, Ashford Town (Mx) 0
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Waiting for a Margate goal is like waiting for a bus; you wait 418 minutes and then two come along at once. This was a solid all round team performance against Ashford but it was Kenny Pratt’s double that sealed three priceless points for the Blues on 38 and 91 minutes.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Kenny Pratt |
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AFC Hornchurch 3, MFC 0
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Margate lost for the 16th time this season, and remains in the bottom three of the Ryman League Premier Division. Again the Blues played some good football at times, but failed to capitalise when they did, and paid the price when they didn’t.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Colin Page |
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Sutton United 2, MFC 0
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Margate can consider themselves unfortunate not to have come away from Gander Green Lane with at least a point in a competitive Ryman League Premier Division clash this evening. The home side retained their unbeaten home record with two injury time goals, and moved into the play-off places. |
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MFC 0, Dover Athletic 2
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In front of Margate’s biggest home crowd of the season so far, the Blues lost a second East Kent derby by a 0-2 margin in as many weeks as the Whites went 20 points clear at the top of the Ryman League Premier Division table.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath |
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Ramsgate 2, MFC 0
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Margate ultimately came up short in the first Thanet derby of the season, going down by two first class goals to nil, in front of a disappointing derby-day crowd of just under 1,100 at Southwood this afternoon.
Match Commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match Reaction:
Terry Yorath |
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MFC 2, Canterbury City 0 (Friendly)
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In front of about 120 people a Margate side, made up of Reserves, fringe players and some returning from injury, eventually outplayed a young plucky Canterbury City side 2-0 though with better finishing could have been more, writes Alan Anstice. |
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MFC 3, Harlow Town 0
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Margate recorded just their second home win of the season, with a 3-0 victory over out of form Harlow Town at Hartsdown Park, this afternoon.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Mo Takaloo |
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MFC 2, Carshalton Athletic 2
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Margate recorded a valuable draw against high-flying Carshalton Athletic at Hartsdown Park this afternoon. After taking a 25th minute lead, the Blues were pegged back by the visitors and went into the break a goal down before Aaron Quain’s wonderful strike earned the Blues a deserved point.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Aaron Quain |
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Dartford 3, MFC 2 (ILC)
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Margate lost their last realistic chance of silver-ware this season with defeat in the second round of the Isthmian League Cup at Dartford’s Princes Park on Tuesday evening, writes Paul Kinlan. |
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MFC 1, Staines Town 2
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Margate went down by two goals to one against promotion chasing Staines Town but can count themselves unlucky not to have got at least a point from a stirring second half comeback.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Danny Stubbs |
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Maidstone United 2, MFC 1 (KSC)
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Margate went out of this season’s John Ullman Kent Senior Cup at the first hurdle to fellow Ryman League Premier Division Maidstone United at a cold Bourne Park this evening. |
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Hendon 1, MFC 2
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Margate scored two goals in a game for the third week in succession, but unlike last week (against Harrow Borough); this time it was enough to secure all three points in a vital clash with fellow strugglers Hendon. |
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MFC 2, Harrow Borough 3
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Margate’s dismal home form continued with a 2-3 defeat to struggling Harrow Borough, this afternoon.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath |
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Boreham Wood 1, MFC 2
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Margate beat the form book and their opponents tonight, by recording their first win in six games, and their third away win of the season. |
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Horsham 2, MFC 0
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Margate went down by two goals to nil against Horsham at Worthing’s Woodside Road ground this afternoon. |
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Billericay Town 3, MFC 2
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Margate scored twice for the fourth time this season but it wasn’t enough to secure any points as Billericay hit three at a rain sodden New Lodge this afternoon.
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
Danny Stubbs |
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MFC 0, Maidstone Utd 2
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Margate succumbed to a goal in each half as the Stones won this Kent derby in front of a season’s best home crowd so far of 586 at Hartsdown Park this evening.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Terry Yorath
James Pinnock |
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MFC 0, Wealdstone 1
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Margate lost 0-1 at home for the second game in succession as the Stones withstood an early Margate onslaught then scored the winning goal from a break away on the three quarter mark.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Paul Smith |
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MFC 0, Hendon 1 (FAT)
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An early smash and grab raid by the visitors proved to be enough as Gate went out of the FA Carlsberg Trophy at the first hurdle this afternoon.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby |
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Dartford 0, MFC 1
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Margate returned from Dartford with a deserved 1-0 win in an entertaining encounter at the Darts’ impressive Princes Park home.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby |
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MFC 2, Hastings United 3
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Margate found Hastings in belligerent mood at Hartsdown Park as the U’s snatched victory with a goal in the last minute to leave the Blues without even a point from a game that they should have had sewn up by half time.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby
Dan Stubbs |
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MFC 0, Tonbridge Angels 0
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Margate’s second clean sheet in as many matches earned them a deserved share of the points at a blustery Hartsdown Park this evening. The Angels enjoyed more possession at times but it was the Blues that created most of the clear openings – including one Tonbridge goal-line clearance that many Gate fans thought had crossed the line, in the first half.
Match commentary (second half only):
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby
Wayne Wilson |
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Ashford Town 0, MFC 1
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Margate recorded their second win of the campaign, beating high-flying Ashford Town by a goal to nil at Short Lane this afternoon. |
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Worthing 5, MFC 1 (FAC)
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Margate was beaten convincingly at Woodside Road in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, writes Paul Kinlan. |
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Tooting & Mitcham Utd 2, MFC 1
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Margate lost for the fifth time this season, but surely it’s just a matter of time before the Blues reverse their lack of good fortune. The two sides were well matched and tried to play good football which made for an entertaining – often end to end – encounter.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Colin Page |
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MFC 0, AFC Hornchurch 2
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The Blues succumbed to two second half Urchin’s goals at a blustery Hartsdown Park this afternoon; falling to a second home defeat of the season.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby |
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Harlow Town 1, MFC 1
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Margate returns from Essex with a well deserved point in a 1-1 draw against Harlow Town. Although the Blues might consider themselves unlucky not to be coming back with all three, writes Paul Kinlan. |
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MFC 2, Heybridge Swifts 1
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Margate recorded their first league win of the season with this hard fought victory over Heybridge Swifts at Hartsdown Park this afternoon.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby
Luke Coleman |
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Dover Athletic 1, MFC 0
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Although it is now four games without a win, this was a good Margate performance and clearly the best 90-minute performance of the season so far. Even the home side acknowledged that they were fortunate to finish with all three points. Margate will play worse this season, and win.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Paul Smith |
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MFC 0, Canvey Island 4
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Margate have now gone three games without a win at the beginning of the new season, but the nature of the second half capitulation after such a promising opening quarter does give early cause for concern. After the game, Manager Barry Ashby said: “To be honest, I’d like to apologise for it (the second half performance) because by the end of the day I was quite embarrassed by it.”
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby |
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MFC 2, Hendon 2
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Margate staged a tenacious second half come-back to take a share of the points in what was truly a game of two halves, at Hartsdown Park this evening.
Match commentary:
First Half
Second Half
Match reaction:
Barry Ashby |
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Carshalton Athletic 2, MFC 1
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Margate started the new Ryman League Premier Division season with defeat at Colston Avenue. |
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MFC 3, Cray Wanderers 1 (PSF)
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Margate ran out winners against the Wands in their final pre-season friendly. So the Blues end their pre-season campaign with four wins, two draws and a defeat. |
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Chatham Town 0, MFC 2 (PSF)
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The Blues recorded their third pre-season win with a victory at Maidstone Road against Ryman League Division One North outfit Chatham Town this afternoon. |
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Erith & Belvedere 1, MFC 2 (PSF)
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Margate recorded their second win of the pre-season campaign with this 2-1 victory at Kent League Erith & Belvedere. |
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Thamesmead Town 1, MFC 1 (PSF)
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Gate's latest pre-season friendly ended all square at Bayliss Avenue against last season’s Kent League Champions. |
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Whitstable Town 1, MFC 1 (PSF)
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Gate's pre-season record now reads won one, lost one and drawn one with this 1-1 draw at The Belmont. |
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MFC 1, Great Wakering Rovers 2 (PSF)
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Margate welcomed Ryman League Division One North, Great Wakering Rovers to Hartsdown Park for the first of just two home friendlies this pre-season, going down by a 1-2 margin. |
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Deal Town 1, MFC 3 (PSF)
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Barry Ashby got his managerial career off to a winning start with a two-goal victory at Kent League Deal Town last (Thursday) evening. |
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 Top |
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MARGATE
vs
Carlisle Utd
PSF
Fri 17th July
KO 7.45pm
MARGATE
vs
Grays Athletic
PSF
Sat 18th July
KO 3.00pm
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