U23's Suffer Defeat Away At East Grinstead

Report by Paul Meade

Margate’s young U23s 100% away record came to a halt on Thursday evening with 4-1 defeat at the hands of a very experienced East Grinstead side.

The first half started brightly for Margate with Zack Jobe creating two good scoring opportunities from the left wing. East Grinstead slowly started to create their own chance's but found young goalkeeper Freddie Marsh again in good form.

Despite Marsh starting well he could do nothing with a quick break away and cross down the left by the host who tucked in to make it 1-0 on 32 minutes.

Looking for a quick response Margate pressed high, but in the 40th minute the Blues found themselves 2-0 down after a sensational 25-yard strike from the right wing.

Margate’s best chance of the half was a great direct free kick from Llewn Campbell which rattled the oppositions crossbar.

Margate started second half with great determination to reassert the early first half pressure and this paid off with constant pressure forcing an own goal from a Margate corner in the 50th minute to reduce the deficit.

It was the perfect response; however, it was short lived as another very quick break down the left wing saw the East Grinstead winger drill home his shot running from the halfway line to make it 3-1.

That third goal was a bitter blow and despite a great deal of Margate pressure which included the Blues hitting the post and having a seemingly good goal from Reece Grieg ruled out for offside, it was not to be Margate’s night.

East Grinstead compounded the difficult night for the Blues by adding a fourth goal in the 85th minute to condemn the ‘Gate to a 4-1 defeat.

This was a good learning curve for the young sides development, who now must bounce back quickly in time for next week’s Kent FA Intermediate Cup Quarter-Final away at Stansfeld on Wednesday 1st March 2023.

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