The Blues come into Saturday's home fixture with Whitehawk in 5th place, occupying the final playoff place in the league, after starting 2024 with a 3-2 win over Cheshunt on New Year's Day and following that up with a 1-1 draw away at Folkestone in a cagey affair last weekend.
Our Opponents The Hawks were promoted into the Isthmian Premier League this season and are currently in a comfortable mid-table position in 13th place, having secured 7 wins, 8 draws and 6 defeats in their 21 games so far this season, two fewer matches than Wingate have played at this point. This set of results actually means that Whitehawk have lost fewer games than the Blues so far this season while Wingate have only drawn twice so far, Folkestone being one of these.
Whitehawk only spent a couple of seasons in the division below, having been relegated in 2018-19 and returning via the playoffs in 2022-23. The man that will lead them from the dugout on Saturday, manager Shaun Saunders, was appointed back in April 2022 and ensured that the Hawks beat relegation at the end of the 2021-22 season, finishing on 39 points in the Isthmian South East division. Their fortunes were transformed as they finished 3rd last season with 69 points and were promoted via the playoffs alongside champions Chatham Town.
Head to Head
Our game earlier this season against Whitehawk in East Sussex was a thriller, under the hot August sun, as the Blues squandered a 3-goal lead to draw 3-3 after the Hawks mounted an excellent comeback on that day. Our goals on that day came from Anointed Chukwu, Ruben Carvalho and Zack Newton, all of whom will be looking to add to their season's tally on Saturday in the reverse fixture.
Prior to this, our matches have been close affairs, with another draw in February 2019 as Alieu Njie rescued a 90th minute equaliser at the Maurice Rebak Stadium, while the away fixture that season was a 3-2 victory for Wingate, two Marc Weatherstone penalties on that day and a Marc Charles-Smith goal proving the difference.
Last time Out
The Hawks' most recent fixture, a Velocity Cup tie scheduled for Wednesday night, was postponed. Their results so far in 2024 have seen two good victories, 1-0 against Horsham and 3-2 against Margate. With a couple of games in hand on those above them, you would imagine that the Hawks will be looking up the table rather than over their shoulder going into 2024.
The Blues come into Saturday's game after starting 2024 with a 3-2 win over Cheshunt on New Year's Day and following that up with a 1-1 draw away at Folkestone last weekend.
Players To Watch
In their 3-2 victory over Margate, the Hawks had Pakistani international forward Imran Kayani to thank as he popped up with a 90th minute winner, his second in the game, and 8th of the season. The 22-year old signed for Whitehawk having previously played at the level above with Slough Town and Dover Athletic. Meanwhile two Charlies; Charlie Walker and Charlie Lambert both have double figures in goals this season, including one apiece against the Blues back in August.
For the Blues, Rhamar Garrett-Douglas has been excellent on the right flank this season and has added a couple of goals to his name in recent weeks, including this one against Folkestone last weekend.
Tickets for adults can be purchased in advance or on the gate. Concessions can be purchased on the gate with valid ID. Under 18s are FREE. We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday - come on you Blues!
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