23's Begin Pre-Season With A Win

Report by Paul Meade

Margate U23's started their pre-season campaign off with a 2-1 home win over a well organised and experienced Minster FC on Friday evening.

With both teams having many new players on trial it was the perfect start, in even more perfect playing conditions. An extremely young, new look U23’s squad found it difficult to maintain possession in the first half which was not unexpected with the new young players, some who are still playing youth football on the weekends.

As the game progressed, Margate came into the match more with some intricate passing passages of play and started to create goal scoring opportunities.

However, it was Minster that took the lead in the 39th minute with a low drive that Kyle Simmonds had no chance of stopping. This would now be a test of character from the young gate side who could easily have lost their way.

With a positive mind set and expectations discussed before the game, this only encouraged a more robust response and on 44 minutes a clever short through pass from Wes Hennessy enabled Finley Bough to run onto and drive a low shot across the keeper from a tight angle for a well-deserved equaliser.

HT. 1-1

The second half saw Minster change to a second team with Margate also making changes allowing for player game time.

Margate started the second half brighter and could have taken the lead when a deep cross from the right found Louie Hoxha at the far post who met the ball first time forcing a good save. Minster increased the tempo of the game and a long range shot forced a fine save from Simmonds.

From the resulting corner a quick counter attack down the right from Bough allowed Mason Bristow to score a wonderful 65th minute left foot strike from 20 yards for Margate’s second and ultimately winning goal of the evening.

Inexperience of game management almost immediately allowed Minster back into the game when their opponents who thought they had equalised but was ruled out for offside.

There were excellent performances in midfield from Tristan Holden, Hoxha and credit must go to the defensive unit of Dave Woodgate, Nathan Geddes, Ben Bin-Luboya, Fenn Roberts and Finlay Bough who were resolute and organised to the final whistle.

FT 2-1

Goal scorers

Finley Bough

Mason Bristow

Man of the Match:

Ben Bin-Luboya

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