Margate
Stadium: Hartsdown Park (Capacity: 2,100)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 79.6 miles
2022/23 table position: 17th
2022/23 top scorer: Ben Greenhalgh (17)
Manager: Reece Prestedge
2022/23 average attendance: 448
Last season saw Margate finish the campaign only two points above the drop zone.
Despite being so close to the relegation places it proved to be a stress-free season at Hartsdown Park with the Gate finishing a healthy 11 points clear of relegated Bowers & Pitsea.
This summer Margate have lost eight players with four of these, Emmanuel Oke, Peter Ojemen, Nathan Wood and Yaser Kasim all getting step two moves.
In order to fill these gaps and repel any fears of a relegation scrap, Reece Prestedge has made a number of new signings.
In defence the experienced Tyrone Sterling is new as well as Skye Salmon and Archie Johnson.
In midfield Montel Agyemang, Leo Mazzone, Daniel Duncanson and Mo Cham are all new.
Whilst in attack Fyn Rutherford, Roberto Ratti and Steve Cawley have all joined the Kent coast club.
From last seasons squad Freddie Marsh, Harrison Hatfull, Harry Hudson, Sam Blackman, Ben Greenhalgh, Rory Sutcliffe, Philip Roberts and Harvey Smith have all been retained ahead of the coming season.
This season the Gate may have to rely on teenage goalkeeper Freddie Marsh as summer signing Daniel Niemcycki has left before even making a competitive appearance for the club.
Despite this Prestedge's side should be able to steer well clear off the drop and safely into midtable.
Concord links
- Margate summer signings Tyrone Sterling and Steve Cawley are both former Concord men.
- Margate midfielders Sam Blackman and Ben Greenhalgh are also ex Concord.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 6
- Draws: 1
- Margate wins: 1
When we meet
Potters Bar
Stadium: Parkfield Stadium (Capacity: 2,000)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 42.6 miles
2022/23 table position: 13th
2022/23 top scorer: Dejon Noel-Williams (8)
Manager: Max Mitchell
2022/23 average attendance: 230
Last season was a tale of two halves for Potters Bar.
The campaign started superbly for the Hertfordshire based club who lost just three of their opening 13 games.
However this was followed up by the Bar winning only four league games in 2023.
If this change of form at Parkfield Stadium is anything to go by then Potters Bar could be in for a season of struggle.
In order to combat this Max Mitchell has signed Preston Edwards, Tommy Cooney, Valckx Fernandes, Rickie Hayles, Harrison Carnegie, Sam Chaney, Ryan Hervel, Adalberto Pinto, Leigh Rose, Johnny Allotey, Cyrus Babaie, Chaynie Burgin and Anthony Mendy.
Going out of the other way are star defenders and top scorer, Joshua Rusoke, Finlay Titchmarsh and Dejon Noel-Williams, who have all joined local rivals Cheshunt who were relegated from the National League South alongside Concord last term.
Many of Potters Bar's signings are exciting but have joined from clubs lower down the football pyramid; so this combined with a poor second half to last season suggests a season of struggle could be on the cards.
Concord links
- Concord summer signings Sean Bonnett-Johnson and Fabion Simms have both previously played for Bar.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 1
- Draws: 0
- Potters Bar wins: 0
When we meet
Whitehawk
Stadium: The Enclosed Ground (Capacity: 3,126)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 85.6 miles
2022/23 table position: 3rd (Isthmian League South East Division)
2022/23 top scorer: Joe Shelley (11)
Manager: Shaun Saunders
2022/23 average attendance: 468
The final of three newly promoted sides, Whitehawk won promotion back to step three following a four season absence.
After almost half a decade in step four the Hawks won promotion from the playoffs last season, beating Hythe Town 1-0 in front of over 1,400 spectators.
Since winning promotion the Hawks have conducted some eye-catching business. Charlie Walker arrives fresh off the back of scoring nine National League South goals for Eastbourne Borough.
He is joined in attack by Javaun Splatt and Hastings United's top scorer Ben Pope.
Also joining from Hastings is midfield pair Ryan Worrall and Jack Dixon. They are joined in the centre of the park by Rohdell Gordon and Dominic Johnson-Fisher.
Whilst at the back, experienced goalkeeper Mitch Walker arrives at the Enclosed Ground as well as Tom Cadman, Sinkkaye Christie, Connor Coady and Joe Tennant.
From last campaign's promotion winning side Shaun Saunders has managed to keep hold of: Luke Glover, Luca Cocoracchio, Will Miles, Hamish Morrison, Harry Shooman, Tommy Brewere, Joel Daly and Bermuda international Luke Robinson.
Whitehawk have a strong squad that should easily stave off relegation. A playoff push is possible in East Sussex.
Concord links
- Whitehawk summer signing Charlie Walker scored against Concord on the final day of last season for Eastbourne Borough.
- New Concord pair, Kwai and Kyjuon Marsh-Brown are both ex Whitehawk.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 4
- Draws: 4
- Whitehawk wins: 2
When we meet
Wingate & Finchley
Stadium: The Maurice Rebak Stadium (Capacity: 1,500)
Distance from the Aspect Arena: 43.5 miles
2022/23 table position: 16th
2022/23 top scorer: Dylan Kearney (17)
Manager: Ahmet Rifat
2022/23 average attendance: 151
Arguably one of the smallest clubs in the division in terms of stature and fanbase, Wingate & Finchley avoided relegation last season - largely down to a late comeback win over Bowers & Pitsea in April - to secure a 13th straight season at step three level.
Top scorer Dylan Kearney left shortly after the seasons end to Southall and was soon followed by Ben Siggers, Michael Olarewaju and Sam Cornish who have joined Cheshunt, Dover Athletic and Hashtag United respectively.
However to counteract this, Ahmet Rifat has carried out some smart business which should enable the Blues to avoid relegation once again.
From last season's side Fergal Hale-Brown, Ben Goode, Loic Hernandez, Luke Ifil, Kraig Noel-McLeod, Ola Williams, Matty Achuba and Emmanuel Yeboah have all been retained by the North London outfit.
As well as this Wingate have also made some eye-catching new signings. Former Southend United man Miles Mitchell-Nelson has been joined in defence by Ahmet Biler, Ben Frempah, Rhamar Garrett-Douglas and Bobby Webb.
In midfield Brendon Shabani won promotion to the National League South with Aveley last time around but has opted to remain at step three level and has joined Wingate.
As well as the former Albania Under 19 international there is Ruben Carvalho, Christian Frimpong, Fahad Nazor and Zack Newton; who won promotion from this level with Cheshunt in 2022.
Finally in attack Anointed Chukwa and Ben Ward-Cochrane are both new at the Maurice Rebak Stadium.
More often than not Wingate will be tipped to struggle but this season they should be able to stay up once again.
Concord links
- Wingate summer signing Brendon Shabani had a month long loan spell at the Aspect Arena in 2020 from Leyton Orient.
Head-to head
- Concord wins: 1
- Draws: 1
- Wingate wins: 1
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