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Margate joint boss Mike Sandmann says Blues won't be overawed by Bostik Premier leaders Haringey

00:00, 16 January 2019

Mike Sandmann believes it’s well within Margate’s capabilities to take something from their trip to Bostik Premier leaders Haringey on Saturday.

The fixture forms part of a tough few days for Margate, who travel to second-placed Lewes on Wednesday, but joint boss Sandmann says they will go into both games without fear.

Sandmann and co-boss Steve Brown watched Haringey lose 2-1 at next-bottom Harlow on Saturday and he says that result proved the division’s unpredictability.

Margate's James Rogers Picture: Don Walker
Margate's James Rogers Picture: Don Walker

He explained: “On league form we’re probably not expected to go there (Haringey) and win but we’ve seen how every one is capable of beating each other in this league.

“It’s a very tight division and we certainly believe we can get something out of both games, that’s how we’re preparing for them.

“We’ve been pretty good on the road and hopefully we can continue that.”

Five of Margate’s seven league wins have come away from Hartsdown and their defensive record is the third best in the league.

Only Haringey (26) and Dorking (22) have conceded fewer than Margate’s 28, but in contrast the 16th placed Blues have managed only 25 goals in 23 starts – a strike rate worse only than Wingate & Finchley, who have 23 from 23.

Sandmann said: “Our goals against record is better than most teams which is no coincidence.

“We try to be organised and difficult to break down and I think that showed in the game against Worthing (Margate’s last fixture on January 5).

“They’re a good side with a lot of excellent attacking players but we limited them to very few chances. We produced a good performance on that day so hopefully we can build on that.”

Sandmann hopes front man Alex Flisher (hamstring) will be fit to start against Haringey but they will assess Jordy Robins (ankle) at training on Thursday.

James Rogers could be included in the squad after coming through a Saturday morning training session while striker Sid Sollis is back after his loan at Sevenoaks. Liam King has re-joined his former club Faversham, while winger George Brown has returned to parent club Colchester after picking up an injury while with the Gate.

Sandmann did not rule out making one or maybe two signings ahead of the weekend, revealing that he thought he had completed a deal last week only for the player to stay at his loan club in the league above.

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