Kentish Football 
Margate boss Iain O'Connell will give trialists plenty of time
Monday 26th July 2010
MARGATE boss Iain O’Connell says he will unveil a new trialist during their home game with Sittingbourne on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Blues boss was pleased with his side following their opening 2-0 friendly win at Faversham Town at the weekend.
Returning French target-man, Jean Michal Sigere, who played for Tonbridge Angels then Lewes last season, broke the deadlock when he headed home Aaron Lacy’s near-post cross, before trialist Alex Waugh converted Dean Grant’s cross at the end.
O’Connell told www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he was pleased with his side’s performance at Salters Lane.
He said: “We played very well, kept great possession of the ball and scored two very good goals as well. The only thing, we should have scored a lot more goals to be honest as we had a lot of chances, but saying that, their keeper had a great game.”
He added: “We started pre-season training probably earlier than everyone else, but we’ve started our games later than a lot of people, so it was good to get underway.
“The boys were glad they got minutes under their belts and we can follow that up with the game against Sittingbourne.”
Gary Abbott brings his Sittingbourne side to Hartsdown Park on Tuesday, and O’Connell is set to unveil a new face against the Ryman League Division One South side.
He said: “Craig Cloke, I think, might be struggling to make it due to work commitments so there’s a possibility he won’t be involved, but all the others are going to be involved.
“I’m also going to have another trialist. I know about him anyway. He’s a good player but he’s going to be playing but I’d rather keep that one to myself.”
When asked when the Margate manager is going to make decisions on his trialists, O’Connell says he will not be rushed.
He said: “Well, for the players’ sake, I’d rather do it as soon as possible, but I’ve got to have a look at these players first and one or two games isn’t enough for me.
“Unfortunately I can’t put a time on it when I’m ready to say ‘yes, he’ll do a job for us, then I’ll be able to do it - but not before then really.”
Leigh-on-Sea based O’Connell, makes an emotional return to his former club, Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday, and is relishing making the sixteen-mile round trip to see some friendly, familiar faces.
O'Connell makes a 170-mile round trip from his front door to Hartsdown Park.
O'Connell makes a 170-mile round trip from his front door to Hartsdown Park.
He said: “It’s a lovely club, the people there are lovely, the committee there are very hard working and their manager now was my assistant manager - Ryan Wilkinson - is one of my best pals. He is one of my children’s godfather and it will be nice to go back there.
“But I don’t want to go back there and show up. I want us to get a result and play the football we can play.”
Margate kick-off their Ryman Premier League campaign when Essex outfit Canvey Island visit Hartsdown Park on 21 August.
“I think it’s going to be a tougher league than last year, I really do,” warned the Margate boss.
“There will be teams that have gone up that are fighting to get into the play-off’s, so it’s going to be tough.
“Canvey are another local side to me, I know their manager very well. They will be another tough nut to crack but the good thing is we’re at home and hopefully we can get off to a good start.
“It’s important we get off to a good start. We don’t want to be languishing and looking over our shoulder. In recent years Margate have struggled early on (and were given reprieves from relegation after twice finishing fourth-from-bottom) so hopefully they will change this year.”
Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com
Margate v Sittingbourne
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 27th July 2010
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hartsdown Park, Hartsdown Road, Margate, Kent CT9 5QZ
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd