I've learnt a lot more about my players, says Butler

Sunday 08th November 2009

MARGATE manager Mark Butler was a disappointed man after losing his first game in charge of the club at Hastings United yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Former Tonbridge Angels keeper Matt Reed became the club’s eighth goalkeeper of the season, but he couldn’t stop the east Sussex side coming back from a goal down to win 2-1 at The Pilot Field.

Skipper, Lloyd Blackman, scored his sixth goal of the season to give Butler’s men the lead going into the break, but Tony Dolby’s men hit back during the second half and won the game courtesy of Ade Olorunda (Reed's former team-mate at Longmead Stadium) and Russell Eldridge.

The result leaves Margate fifth-from-bottom in the Ryman Premier League table with 14 points from 13 games - leaving the former Ashford Town (Middlesex) manager with plenty of food for thought ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to VCD Athletic in the League Cup.

“It was difficult to understand how we played so differently in both halves,” the 33-year-old told www.margate-fc.com.

“We played some good stuff in the first half, but in the second we were either suffering from a lack of match practice or short of fitness. I hope it is match practice,” he added.

“As expected, I learned a lot more today about the players than I have at training.

“I know they are not bad players but I will be looking to make one or two changes going forward.”

VCD Athletic go into the game, meanwhile, on the back off a fine 1-0 home win over Ware, a result that sees Paul Foley side climb up to thirteenth place in the Ryman League Division One North table, following back-to-back wins and their second successive clean sheet, which is always pleasing.

Quotes courtesy of www.margate-fc.com

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcd-athletic.co.uk

VCD Athletic v Margate

Championship Manager Cup Second Round

Tuesday 10th November 2009

Kick Off 7:45pm

At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Dartford DA1 4DN