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Margate are boosted by the return of their captain as boss Mark Stimson feels his squad is looking better than ever.
Stimson’s side were beaten 1-0 at fellow Isthmian Premier strugglers Haringey Borough on Saturday.
More: Millwall take another look at Margate striker
They were boosted by the return of Sam Blackman, though, who came off the bench midway through the second half.
Stimson, who enjoyed his first win as Gate boss against Canvey Island the week before, said: “Sam came back onto the bench and it was good to have him back.
“He’s been a big loss for us, he’s the captain and he makes things happen from the middle of the pitch.
“To have him back is a bonus and the squad is looking healthy at the moment.
“He played 25-30 minutes no problems. He will train this week and hopefully we get some more minutes out of him on Saturday.”
Blackman missed a month for Margate and made a brief return in mid-January, but only lasted 60 minutes.
“It’s probably the strongest the squad has looked since I have been here,” said Stimson, who included recent addition Michael Dome-Bemwin in the side last weekend.
Midfielder Dome-Bemwin includes Ashford United as a former team but he’s well-travelled, with spells in the USA, Spain, Cyprus and Sweden during his playing career.
Isthmian Premier Division table
Stimson continued: “Saturday, apart from Michael coming off the bench, was the first time in four or five that we haven’t given a debut to someone. We have a settled squad now.
“We’d like to look at the next eight games and just see what points return we get and I am sure it will be better than the previous 10, that is our aim.
“We will give everything we have got to get the points we need.
“Michael came off the bench. He had just come training, we were light on the bench and we put him on because one of our young players, Vinnie Bowman, has been on trial at Millwall. We had space and he took that space.”
Haringey’s winning goal came on 64 minutes but Margate thought they had worthy appeals for a penalty. Referee Oliver Kaya disagreed.
Stimson said: “It was a big appeal and when you get four or five people appealing it, sometimes you think it’s going to be but you don’t always get that bit of luck that you need sometimes, unfortunately, so a very disappointing and frustrating afternoon after getting our first win the week before.
“Both teams are near the bottom of the table and there weren’t many chances. Unfortunately for us on the day they took their one and our main one, the keeper pulled off a good save, one-on-one.
“To come away with nothing after a really good first-half performance was disappointing.
“I think we deserved something, but you don’t always get what you deserve and you have to brush yourself down and go again.
“This week we find ourselves at home against Horsham, who are just outside the play-offs, so another challenge but one we’re looking forward to and hopefully we can get another home win.”
