Margate appoint Reece Prestedge as their new boss after one win in six games in temporary charge alongside Ben Greenhalgh

MARGATE chairman Ricky Owen has appointed Reece Prestedge as the club’s new manager with Ben Greenhalgh remaining as his assistant until the end of this season.

The pair took charge after the departure of Andy Drury on Boxing Day, winning just the one game, drawing two and losing three of their six games in temporary charge at Hartsdown Park.

Greenhalgh has scored 13 goals for the side this season and Margate currently lie in sixteenth-place in the Isthmian League Premier Division table with 28 points (seven wins, seven draws) from their 25 games.

The club are six points clear of the relegation zone, which currently contains Wingate & Finchley, Brightlingsea Regent, Corinthian-Casuals and Herne Bay.

“Reece and Ben stepped in at a difficult time and we appreciate all the hard work they have put in to date,” said Owen in a statement published last night.

“They have brought a togetherness to the squad, through their strong relationship with the players.

“As a board we hope they can kick on from Saturday (3-1 home win over Wingate & Finchley) and we will continue to back them to improve the squad if they so wish.”

Margate are on the road to eighteenth-placed side Kingstonian tonight (19:45 at Tooting & Mitcham United).

The K’s are just a point clear of the drop zone and five points adrift of Margate.

Drury, meanwhile, is now playing for Isthmian League South East Division leaders Chatham Town, who lost 2-0 at Beckenham Town last night.

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.co.uk