Margate's visit to East Thurrock is "mind over matter", says table topping Trott

Thursday 04th January 2007

Margate returned to the top of the Ryman Premier League table with a home win over Folkestone on Saturday as Chelmsford went down by the odd goal in three at Billericay, writes Steve Wells.

But as manager Robin Trott intimated in his post match interview, his focus is on ensuring that Gate are at the top of the league come 28th April.

With three wins, two draws and just a single defeat in their last six games Gate continue to be close to the top of the current form table.

With both Steve McKimm (knee) and Pat Sappleton (ankle) doubtful following injuries against Ramsgate and Folkestone respectively, Margate look set to start with Paul Abbott and James Donovan.

Rookery Hill is a difficult place to play as Margate will vouch following a 3-1 defeat on a poor pitch last season.

But Trott told www.margate-fc.com that his players will have to adapt to the conditions at Rookery Hill.

He said: “Everyone’s got to play there. They play their home games there so we’ve just got to get on with it. It’s mind over matter – we’ll go there, ready to pass the ball. If not, it’s going to be a (game like) Ramsgate, I’m afraid.”

On the injury situation, Trott added: “We’ve had the injury to Steve McKimm. Hopefully it’s not going to be too bad, because he’s a rock in the middle and he’s a good captain of the club.”

The Rocks have not enjoyed as good a start to this season as they did last, having recorded 11 defeats in their opening 21 games. In fact, East Thurrock are one of nine clubs to have accumulated more points away than at home.

The Essex side have also endured a significant turnover of playing staff. Former Margate players Ellis Remy and Kola Okikiolu and former Folkestone player Walid Matata have all played for the Rocks this season but are now plying their trade back in the Kent.

In addition, East Thurrock have released Goalkeeper Jamie Lunan who joined in the close season from Chelmsford City and had been a regular in the side.

East Thurrock’s last game saw them come away from Heybridge with a creditable 0-0 draw.

Manager Lee Patterson told www.easthurrockunited.com: “It was an excellent performance, it was the most one sided 0-0 draw you will see and I am really disappointed to have only come away with a point.

He added: “The players were superb and we now need to maintain that workrate and desire in all our games. We even lost two players to injury during the first half and still kept up the momentum in taking the game to Heybridge".

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.com

East Thurrock United v Margate
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 6^th January 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Rookery Hill, Corringham, Essex SS17 9LB