Flanagan: We really need to beat Billericay

With 18 points on offer between now and the end of the season, Margate will be desperate to collect as many as they can to at least secure a play-off berth.

Its two wins in four games for the Blues and just the one defeat so perhaps Gate have turned the corner. Encouragingly, Danny Hockton has started scoring again; it’s four in four games for him, 35 in total for the season.

Justin Skinner made a welcome return to the side on Saturday and linked up well with Jimmy Jackson on the left. It was also interesting to note the positive impact of Nick Bagley’s introduction on the right for Rob Haworth, allowing James Pinnock to move back inside. Robin Trott was still feeling the effects of his illness so he could be a doubt for this game.

Billericay are currently ranked six in the form table have taken 11 from a possible 18 points. According to most reports, the Essex side were unlucky to come out of their home fixture with Ramsgate with nothing to show, as the Rams completed a smash grab raid late on to secure all three points. Nevertheless, Billericay remain one of the front-runners for a play-off spot and by no means out of the title race either.

The man to watch for Billericay Town is former Stevenage Borough forward Joe Flack who has 15 league goals to his name for this season to date.

Back in October Margate looked to have come back to form in moving into a 2-0 lead at the New Lodge. But the hosts had other ideas and wrestled the initiative back from Gate to end the contest as the winners by the odd goal in five.

Steve McKimm put away a rebound off the post to open the scoring, James Pinnock slotted the ball home at the near post following Danny Hockton’s knock down. But just before half time the Billericay recovery started when Nathan Elder headed home. Then Jamie Dormer scored in the second half to bring Billericay level before Lee Hodges snatched the points for Town late in the game.

Looking forward to the Billericay game, Mike Flanagan told
www.margate-fc.com   “Well, I think we’re all looking forward to it. After (the Walton & Hersham) result we should be going into it very confident.
 
“There wasn’t much between the sides (in the game at New Lodge earlier in the season) but again, we’re at home and we need the three points.”
 
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Margate  v  Billericay Town
Ryman Premier League
Tuesday 3^rd April 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5QZ