Gate leave it late as they down Wingate

Margate recorded a second home win in a week to end a turbulent few days which had seen a 3-0 defeat away at Lowestoft just days before joint manager Craig Holloway stepped down from his role.

The 'Gate' knew they needed to start quickly against Wingate & Finchley who found themselves below the Blues in the Ryman Premier League table before kick-off.

The game started quickly, however for the home side it was a disastrous opening minute as the visitors fired in a long range effort which was carelessly spilled into the net by Holloway who remains Margate number one despite stepping down as joint manager.

The home side looked more threatening than there last fixture and they found themselves level in the tenth minute as Matt Bodkin calmly slotted home from 12 yards after Charles Ademano was chopped down in the box. With Simon Osborn seemingly taking full control of first team affairs, the Blues looked lively going forward.

Ademano caused Wingate problems with his direct running at the defence, while Matt Bodkin playing in a more attacking role also looked to add to his tally. Phil Walsh who has struggled to score goals of late was also a handful as he won header after header to cause the visitors back line even more trouble.

It was the work of Walsh which assisted as Margate took the lead just five minutes before the break. A fine corner was swung in with Walsh rising highest, only to see his header crash back off the post but only to the feet of Gary Borrowdale who calmly prodded the ball home to make it 2-1.

The Gate would have hoped to hold onto their lead until half-time, however the visitors had other ideas as Bobby Aisen fired home from 12 yards after Leon Smith had been hacked down after a mazy run into the home sides box.

The second half didn't live up to the first as both sides failed to carve out any open opportunities. It was the home side who created the best of the opportunities as Walsh and Bodkin came closest.

Osborn wasn't to go without a win in his first game in charge as the Gate struck the winner in the 84th minute with the goal coming from an unlikely source.

It was Richard Avery who was released down the centre before seeing his fierce effort parried, but only back to his feet as he slammed home the winner to send home support into a frenzy as they celebrated a second straight home win.

The win saw Margate move up to 9th in the table and just eight points behind the Ryman Premier League play-off places.

After the game new manager Simon Osborn admitted the play-offs were his aim: "We have to aspire to be the best we can. We targeted the play-offs at the start of the season and that's where we want to be at the end of the season."

Speaking about a turbulent few days at the club Osborn said: "I don't think Craig's decision had an effect. It was something Craig had been mulling over for a few weeks. Craig's time as a manager will come but for now he has some other plans and management obviously takes up a lot of your time."

"Craig is still young, he is still by no doubt the best keeper in this league."

Ryan Dolby was also pleased with a second home win within a week: "It was a good three points. We played well in spells but we grinded out the win and that's fantastic for the football Club."

"Craig's departure as joint manager didn't effect us. He is still a big character within the dressing room, it just means Simon might have to plan a bit more on his own but it wont effect us."

Margate welcome Canvey Island to Hartsdown Park on Saturday as they look for their third consecutive home win.

Could Hodgson be set to bring JT back?

Since retiring from international football in September, pundits and fans alike have called for England boss Roy Hodgson to pick up the phone and see if he can tempt Chelsea star John Terry out of international retirement ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

But will Hodgson try and tempt the 78 time capped defender out of retirement? All signs at the moment suggest not. Hodgson only yesterday said there would be no surprises in his selection for the World Cup in Brazil.

Hodgson defended the current centre-back pairing of Phil Jagielka and Gary Cahill. The pair started the crucial final games together in the qualifying period after Terry's retirement, however they did endure some fierce criticism from fans despite England going onto qualify by finishing top of a difficult group.

Against Poland, despite winning 2-0, England's back line were caught all too often on the break. If Robert Lewandoski was in his usual form then there is no doubt that the game wouldn't have finished so comfortably for the Three Lions.

Hodgson has said he has no intention on picking up the phone and calling Terry. He has faith in his current centre-backs and that must be applauded. He believes in them and he urges the fans to believe in them as well. Hodgson knows that going back to England's old boys at each tournament could only see a return to their usual failings.

It wouldn't be the first time England have turned to a retired international for the tournament should Hodgson make the call. In 2010, former England Manager Fabio Capello called upon Jamie Carragher to join the squad despite not playing a single minute during the qualifiers. Carragher found himself thrust into the major tournament and he suffered, England suffered and another miserable campaign come and went.

There are two sides to every argument and these two arguments are very good. Firstly, it wouldn't be fair on Cahill and Jagielka if they missed out on the World Cup because Terry was recalled just for the tournament. The centre-backs have been reliable if nothing more, and Hodgson should remember that when it comes to naming his 23 man squad.

Of course there is a flip side to this, Jagielka and Cahill have been caught out in the qualifiers a few times, thankfully not causing any real disasters, however against the likes of Spain, Brazil, Germany and Holland you have to wonder if they are competent enough to do a solid job.

Calling on Terry would mean experience, it would mean a leader, it would mean a commanding centre-back who has proven against the worlds best he can do a fine job. The Chelsea man though has been troubled of late with injury problems which are likely to do his cause no good.

I think it is time England left behind some of the old guard that they rely on time and time again and fail with. This is the chance of Jagielka and Cahill, they need time to grow and blossom into England's centre back pairing for the next four years.

'No surprises' insists Hodgson

After back to back defeats at Wembley for the first time in 36 years, many England fans wouldn't have been filled with too much confidence ahead of the World Cup in Brazil next summer, however England boss Roy Hodgson today insisted 'what you saw is what you will get'.

Hodgson effectively used two different sides against Chile and Germany last week, however a lack of attacking prowess and still some defensive frailties were again highlighted as the Three Lions laboured to two very disappointing defeats.

The 2-0 defeat against Chile last Friday was harsh, England dominated, they played some neat football, however a lack of striking instinct cost them. Germany was a different story, the visitors dominated and outclassed Hodgson's men. Thankfully Hodgson had Joe Hart in goal who was ready to show the world and his Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini just how good he really was.

Despite those defeats, Hodgson has said today he will stick by the players that got England to the finals in Brazil. It will be music to the ears of both Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka who have come under scrutiny of late, with several pundits and supporters calling for the recall of Chelsea defender John Terry who retired from International football last year.

It will also be music to the ears of Southampton trio Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez who Hodgson admitted had forced their way into his plans after impressing in the friendlies.

The news will not have been so pleasing for the likes of Andy Carroll who has not played for England for almost a year after struggling with injury problems. The West Ham striker will have limited time to impress Hodgson and prove he is worthy of a spot on the plane.

Roberto Martinez shared his wisdom this week when he told Everton midfielder Ross Barkley to forget about playing at the World Cup but rather spend his time on concentrating on his club form which has been impressive so far, helping him earn his three England caps.

Martinez warned: "We all know in football a week can be an eternity so next summer is a long way to worry about." The Everton boss is right and the emergence of Barkley and Townsend are proof of it. Needing to win their final two group games, Hodgson turned to Barkley and Tottenham winger Andros Townsend and it worked a treat despite having very little Premier League experience.

With just 26% of players in the Premier League being English, the England job is tough. Hodgson says he wont surprise and we shouldn't be expecting to see another young starlet propelled into the England limelight for Brazil, but you just never know.

It seems Hodgson will go with the tried and tested in Brazil, however, we want to know if you could pick one player to go as part of the England squad next summer who hasn't featured as of yet then who would it be?

'Gate' earn points as Robins remain rooted

Margate FC recorded their first win in the Ryman Premier League since the beginning of September as they beat basement side Carshalton Athletic at Hartsdown Park in front of a crowd of just 82.

With England facing Germany at Wembley and the blustery winds making it feel like temperatures had plummeted to sub zero, the home side knew there was never going to be a high number through the turnstiles, however the figure would have no doubted disappointed.

The 'Gate' did very little in the first half to repay those fans that had stuck by the side that hadn't won in the League since recording a 1-0 away win at play-off chasing Wealdstone on the 5th September. The visitors showed their game plan from the beginning as they got men behind the ball and attacked when they could.

It was the visitors that shaved the better of very few chances in the first half, however 'Gate' player/manager Craig Holloway wasn't to be beaten as he pulled off two sublime saves in the opening 30 minutes to keep the scores level at 0-0.

While Holloway remained resolute in goal, the home side looked very lacklustre in any attacking moves and probably had their number one to thank for going in level at half-time.

Whatever Holloway and Simon Osborne said at half-time certainly worked as Margate came out having stepped up their work rate and creativity. The obvious improvement came via the Kent sides two Greek midfielders Jack Summoutis and Giannoulis Fakinos who's constant searching passes and vision were key to some much better play by the home side.

It looked though as the minutes ticked by that the home support would be going home frustrated as Phil Walsh who's work rate couldn't be questioned continued to be frustrated up front on his own as the 'Gate' went in search of the three points.

However, with 71 minutes on the clock the home sides pressure finally told as Fakinos delivered a fine angled ball to the fast post where the towering Walsh cushioned the ball to the feet of Defender Gary Borrowdale who couldn't miss from just four yards.

Despite the Leagues basement side threatening with a few half chances, Margate comfortably saw out the final 19 minutes with relative ease as the Carshalton drought in front of goal continued with still just 14 League goals scored so far this season.

After the game Margate joint manager Holloway said he was pleased to earn the much needed three points.

"It's been a difficult few weeks with results, we gave the lads a kick up the backside at half time and the work rate improved in the second half."

We looked lacklustre in the first half but obviously what we said at half-time gave the boys a lift and our second half was a lot better" added the 29 year old.

Holloway was named man of the match after keeping his side in the game in the first half, however the gaffer thinks there might have been something else to it.

"I think I have done quite well this season in goal, but my friend Paul was sponsoring the game so he might have been being a bit bias with that decision."

The boss was also happy to see Borrowdale on the scoresheet, despite being a defender.

"Ideally you want all your players getting on the scoresheet to take that pressure off your strikers but credit to Phil Walsh he has been our best player over the last few weeks.

"He is winning plenty of balls in the air and bringing other players into the game so a lot of credit must go to him."

With the attendance at just 82, Holloway urged the Margate supporters to come out in their numbers to help the Club achieve their promotion ambitions.

"It's always a quiet game when England play but we need them to get behind us to help us get to where we think we can get this club, but I am sure that will come if we keep winning games."

Margate climbed to 10th in the Ryman Premier League and travel to seventh placed Lowestoft on Saturday.