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Jimmy Witt the latest Gillingham loanee to team up with Jay Saunders' Margate

Margate have taken another Gillingham player on loan after signing Jimmy Witt.

The versatile youngster, who plays full-back or on the wing, made his debut in Gate’s 1-0 Isthmian Premier defeat at Merstham on Saturday.

Margate boss Jay Saunders Picture: Oakley Photosports
Margate boss Jay Saunders Picture: Oakley Photosports

He joins Gills team-mate Tommy Lamb in moving to Hartsdown Park having been gaining experience of men’s football a level below at Sittingbourne.

But Gate’s other Gills loanee, striker Roman Campbell, has left after signing a permanent deal with the Brickies following his release from Priestfield.

Margate manager Jay Saunders first spotted Witt while coaching for the Soccer Elite football academy and kept him in mind.

Saunders said: “We played Gills with Soccer Elite and I said to Craig Stone (Gillingham youth coach) I really liked him.

“I know Stoney well, he played for me at Maidstone, and he said he was highly thought of.

“We didn’t need a wide lad at the time but with Jack Richards injured we’ve been short in that area. We’ve tried playing people further forward, like Michael Abnett, but that’s not his position.

“We’ve kept an eye on Jimmy, there was an opportunity to get him in and we’ve taken it. It was tough for him on Saturday because he didn’t know anyone other than Tommy but he’ll soon get to know the boys.

“We’ve got him for a month to start with but you can play around with these youth loans.

“It’s pleasing to get these young lads in from Gills. They’ve got great attitudes.”

Jimmy Witt in FA Youth Cup action for Gills last season Picture: Ady Kerry
Jimmy Witt in FA Youth Cup action for Gills last season Picture: Ady Kerry

Kieran Monlouis’ loan spell at Margate is up, with the midfielder scoring on his return to Dulwich Hamlet in a 5-3 win over Chelmsford.

He was missed in midfield as Gate lost at Merstham, a match settled by Calvin Ekpiteta’s 21st-minute penalty.

Saunders said: “We have two or three good results and then two or three bad ones.

“We need to make sure we don’t fall into that mid-table mentality where we’re going through the motions. It looked to me at times as though some were.”

Margate, who drop to 14th, host 19th-placed Corinthian Casuals this Saturday.

Read more: All the latest sports news in Kent

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