Margate manager Andy Drury keen to see team climb Isthmian Premier table during festive period

Boss Andy Drury is eager to see Margate climb the table over an unusually quiet festive period.

Strangely for this time of year, some of Gate’s Isthmian Premier rivals have only two more scheduled league games left in 2022.

And Drury, whose side still have three more matches to play this year after tonight being due to host Bowers & Pitsea, is keen to take advantage.

“I think December is a really important month to see what way we are going - whether we’re going for the play-offs or mid-table,” said Drury, whose side are unbeaten in seven in all competitions.

“We really need to get some points on the board. But it’s very tight.

"If we have a good December, we’re looking in and around the top eight.”

Drury also explained the departure of Harrison Hatfull, who has now joined league rivals Herne Bay.

The versatile defender has had two spells at Hartsdown Park after being brought from Bearsted in 2020, impressing enough to earn trials at Gateshead and Maidstone, but found himself out of favour.

Drury said: “Freddy Barton has come in and done really well and got the shirt. That’s that, really.

“Harrison wants to play football. He went on trial at Gateshead and Maidstone and just wanted a bit more commitment [from Margate about the amount of first-team chances he would get].

“But Freddy has done really well so Harrison has gone to Herne Bay.”

Gate were due to visit Potters Bar last weekend but that match was called off after an early-morning pitch inspection and Drury had few complaints.

He said: “I don’t think my garden’s thawed out!

“Maybe they could have done it the night before. It costs money for teams and players to travel but I think it was the sensible thing to do [to call the match off].

“Obviously we are seven