U23's Win Seven Goal Thriller

By Paul Meade

The home crowd were treated to a seven-goal thriller at Hartsdown Park on Friday evening with Margate edging the victory 4-3!

The game not only had seven goals but also, five injuries, two penalties, a hattrick and two opposition sending offs.

Margate started their usual high press game and should have gone ahead through Charlie Meade on 11 mins, but his left foot shot went high over the bar.

There were two more quick chances for Iman Allam, but he could only find the side netting twice with his efforts.

This lack of goal conversations has been an ongoing issue this season and The ‘Gate found themselves conceding with a lack of concentration with an unchallenged shot in 23rd min.

This set back was short lived however after a good through ball from Meade found Akeem whose run into the box was brought down and Nathan Geddes stepped and slotted in the deserved equaliser from the spot.

Snodland then capitalised on another two unforced errors with again a free strike at goal, then keeper Blake Winter losing control with the ball at his feet for the striker to score giving the opposition somehow a 3-1 halftime lead.

The second half began by losing Charlie Meade and Chidu to injury then shortly after David Woodgate and Loui Hoxha, but this did not deter Margate from dominating from the start of the second half with Iman, Fabian De Oliviera and Kodie Bristow all providing great crosses but again no one able to convert.

This pressure was finally rewarded in the 64th min when the ball fell to Bristow whose crisp volley found the top corner reducing the deficit to one goal.

Margate’s equaliser came eight mins later after the keeper miss-cleared straight to Nathan Geddes who chipped his first time shot into an empty net from fully 30-yards.

There were fantastic saves from Winter on 78 & 82 mins before Margate were awarded a second penalty this time when Loui Mirza’s strike was adjudged to have hit a Snodland hand and Geddes stepped up to complete his hattrick and a fine win showing a brilliant show of second half resilience and character.

Margate U23 boss Tur Hoxha had his say: “I'm very pleased with the win. The first half was the best football we played this season, we created so many chances but we couldn't put the ball in net. We should have been 4-0 up if we were more clinical in front of goal.

“Some great passing football, but also some poor decision making especially at the back which lead to conceding three goals in the first half. In the second half it was only us, working hard with a high press and we scored three goals to come back and win the game.

“The boys displayed character determination and that paid off with a thoroughly deserved victory. I thought Nathan Geddes was fantastic tonight and got himself a hattrick, also the young boys did well too, so very pleased for them!”

UP THE ‘GATE

More news