Margate player-boss Ben Greenhalgh embracing facing new opponents in Isthmian South East ahead of trip to Erith Town and home game against Eastbourne Town

Ben Greenhalgh is embracing the chance to head to new grounds and face different opposition with Margate this season.

Hat-trick hero Ibrahim Olutade led the way as Gate, looking to bounce back from last term’s Isthmian Premier relegation, responded from their first Isthmian South East defeat this season with a 3-2 victory at Sheppey last weekend.

While Margate player-manager Greenhalgh, who also runs Dartford’s Academy, had been to Holm Park previously, it was his first time playing at the ground.

Gate visit Erith Town tonight before a home game against another newly-promoted outfit, Eastbourne Town, this weekend.

Greenhalgh said: “This is what’s quite exciting about the league for us this year.

“We’re doing a lot of homework on these teams and for a lot of the players - including myself - it’s the first time we have been to these grounds.

“Although I know they’ve been a strong side at the level for a few years, it was my first time playing at Sheppey. We have got to respect these teams.

Gate hat-trick hero makes team-of-the-week

“Erith Town, they’re a side that have had a very good start to the season, as well. I’m looking forward to these challenges, tactically, to try and get the better of these teams.

“Then, playing Eastbourne at home on Saturday, I’m just really looking forward to playing the way we want to again at Hartsdown Park.”

Olutade gave Gate a 1-0 half-time lead at Sheppey, only for ex-Margate defender Sinn’Kaye Christie to equalise in front of a crowd of 419.

But the striker struck twice more, leaving home skipper Danny Leonard’s stoppage-time goal as a consolation.

“It was a bit of a strange game,” reflected Greenhalgh.

“I felt like we deserved the three points and we put in the right performance to