A Victory Under The Lights For The U23's

By Paul Meade

Margate U23’s came into this game against bottom of the table Larkfield & Hythe knowing that a win would put them back on top of the SCEFL Development League!

However, the task was not as easy as some may have predicted despite going 2-0 up after 8 mins. Margate spent the rest of the game in search of a third to kill the game off. It wasn’t through a lack of goal scoring opportunities as the ‘Gate had created more chances than in any other game so far this season. Larkfield defended exceptionally well with a goalkeeper that was also outstanding.

Margate’s goals were both scored by Reece Greig the first after some quick one touch interplay between Charlie Meade and Loui Hoxha and a driving run from Greig which gave him the chance to shoot, finding the bottom corner. His second came on 8 minutes, after his initial fierce drive could only be parried back to him by the keeper and he made no mistake with the second attempt.

There were shots from Kodie Bristow, Morgan Page, Meade and Hoxha but they could not find a way through. Margate’s play was precise in this first half with excellent crosses from Meade and Bristow into good areas that just could not be converted.

The second half became a more frantic affair as frustrations crept into Margate’s play and, despite still creating many more chances, just could not find the killer third.

Both fullbacks Fenn Roberts and Tyler Lee began to create good overlapping runs to increase the pressure and both improving with every game. Morgan Page was dominant in this half always looking to feed the forwards and his work rate was always a driving force.

Larkfield had a spell of pressure that was rewarded in their striker breaking away down the ‘Gates right wing and with Fenn Roberts best efforts to block somehow, he drove a low shot beyond the diving Danny Kennedy.

Margate brought on Raju Ahmed, Danny Martin, Jude Buchanan and Chidu also changing formation. It was Raju who immediately made an impact forcing a fine save from the keeper. This made a difference and again, Margate thought they had scored when Charlie Meade’s header from a corner by Chidu was somehow saved onto the bar away from danger.

The game continued with more sustained pressure on the oppositions goal without any further success ending with a fourth consecutive victory conceding only one goal with solid performances from Nathan Geddes and David Woodgate at the back.

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