Kentish Football 
Margate boss Iain O'Connell hails camaraderie at Hartsdown Park
Wednesday 08th September 2010
MARGATE boss Iain O’Connell was delighted to see his side clinch their first league win of the season and climb two places outside the relegation zone last night, writes Stephen McCartney.
Former Dover Athletic target man Shaun Welford opened his goalscoring account for the club with a brace as Aveley were defeated 2-0 at Hartsdown Park.
But O’Connell, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, admitted that the half-time introduction of Ishmail Kamara proved to be the turning point as the Sierra Leonian’s pace and trickery was a constant problem to the Millers’ defence.
“First half, we were awful, absolutely awful,” admitted O’Connell. “We started brightly for 5-10 minutes and then after that Aveley were the better side. They wanted the game more, they had two efforts saved by Jamie Turner, who made two great saves.
“Second half, I changed it, put Ishmail Kamara on as sub - he got to the game late so I put him on the bench - and he made a hell of a difference. We were a lot sharper and Shaun Welford scored two great goals.”
O’Connell was quick to praise Welford, a player who puts in wholehearted performances for every club he plays for.
“He’s very good in the air, but not only that, his work rate is unbelievable,” said the Margate boss.
“He’s 100% all the time and he deserved the two goals yesterday.”
It has been a disappointing start for Kent sides in the Ryman Premier League with five of Kent’s sides in the bottom seven.
With his side sitting in 17th place, O’Connell said: “It’s early days but it’s nice to get your first win under your belt. I think we deserved it over the last two games.
“At Kingstonian, we played a lot better than last night (and lost). I did say after Saturday’s game we will play much better and lose games - but I could not give a damn how we play, just as long as we get the three points.”
All attention now turns to the tricky trip to Hellenic League outfit Binfield for Saturday’s FA Cup First Qualifying Round clash.
The Berkshire side are presently sitting in second place in the table with four wins and two draws from their opening seven league games.
O’Connell warns of a tough examination for his Ryman Premier League footballers, who play two league’s higher than their hosts.
“I don’t know much about them, but one of my pals knows someone there and they’ve given me a match report so I’ve got that on email,” he revealed.
“I know their doing well in their league, they’re at home, they’re going to work hard and be confident. It’s going to be tough. It’s a banana skin but hopefully it’s one we can over come.”
But Margate’s side has players that have the experience and talent to come out of the tie unscathed.
O’Connell agreed, “I would have thought the whole team have played at teams like Binfield - it’s just another game.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Binfield or Kingstonian at Kingsmeadow - whether it is we have to make sure we do our best and play some good football and win the game.”
O’Connell, who is without full-back Curtis Robinson on Saturday, will also be without midfielder Daren Marsden through injury - the most gifted player in the Kent League last season for Herne Bay.
“I think he’s been one of our best players so far,” O’Connell said of Marsden. “He’s played very well, he’s a good lad, like all the others.
“I’ve got a good bunch of lads there, a close bunch of lads. After the game last night you see them all, thy were all sitting together. It’s good to have that camaraderie. Darren has settled in well, like all the signings, very quickly.”
Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com
Binfield v Margate
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) First Qualifying Round
Saturday 11th September 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Hill Farm Lane, Binfield, RG42 5NR
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd