Attention swivels to the cup competitions once again as the Hawks finally get their Velocity Cup campaign up and running with the visit of Margate.

With postponements and re-scheduling delaying the commencement of this cup, it’s an unusually late Third Round tie against fellow Isthmian Premier rivals, with the winner booking a trip to Kingstonian.

Home for the first time in two and a half weeks, the recent away tour has taken its toll on Whitehawk, though they lost just one of those four matches on the road. And with a brilliant point at Hornchurch on Saturday, it’s back to The Enclosed Ground for Shaun Saunders’ side.

The Opposition

Despite securing victory over the Hawks on the very first day of the season, Margate’s campaign has been a frustrating one to date as they strive for a route away from the relegation places.

Without a win in their past six matches, it prompted Margate’s board to release manager Reece Prestedge from his duties at the club as they now begin the hunt for a new name in the hotseat.

Today will see forward Ben Greenhalgh take the reigns, as ‘The Gate’ undergo a shift in personnel ahead of tonight’s lengthy trip to Sussex.

One to Watch | Steve Cawley

One of the few who has been firing for the Thanet club, Cawley has found the net an impressive 11 times this season, including three in his past three. In fact, in the last 450 minutes of football, he is the only Margate player to have billowed the net.

The 31-year old brings a wealth of experience to Margate’s attacking line, having enjoyed successful spells at Hitchin Town, Hemel Hempstead, Bishop’s Stortford and, most memorably, Concord Rangers in the National League South.

Recent Form – LLLDL

2/12 | Enfield Town (A) | Lost 2-0

28/11 | Bognor Regis Town (A) | Drew 2-2 

25/11 | Billericay Town (H) | Lost 3-1 

21/11 | Horsham (A) | Lost 1-0 

18/11 | Wingate & Finchley (A) | Lost 1-0

Previous Meetings

The two sides last locked horns on the opening day of the season, where a Phil Roberts brace sandwiched between a Jack Dixon strike handed the Hawks their first defeat of the season.

The clubs have a rich recent history of facing each other, with 10 matches in the past ten years. August’s result was just the second Margate win in that span, with the Hawks claiming five victories.

How to Follow

If you can’t make it to The Enclosed Ground tonight, you can follow the action via our X (Twitter) and Facebook channels, the former of which can be found here.

Tickets

Tickets can be bought at The Enclosed Ground later today for the following prices:

Adult: £13 

OAPs/Students/NHS: £8 

U18s: £5

Under 13s: FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)

Dogs welcome! But they must be on a lead at all times