By Paul Meade
Margate U23’s continued 2025 where they left off 2024, with another impressive win this time in The Kent Intermediate Cup Quarter-Final away to Faversham Town.
Despite some players, staff and a linesmen being held up due to a road traffic accident , the game still kicked off on time.
This delay however did not appear to upset the player’s preparation and they started with a very quick intense attacking play.
This lead to young Fin Saunders opening the scoring in the second minute after capitalising on the opposition centre-backs mistake and calmly slotting home.
Margate’s pressure looked like it would be doubled in the 14th minute when another fine strike from Saunders was pushed out by the Faversham ‘keeper to Iman Alam, but he was unable to find the net.
Further chances were being created from Fabian De Oliveira, Chidubem Ede and the long awaited return of injured striker Woody Pitman.
The ‘Gate did finally score a deserved second when a defence splitting through ball from fullback Connor Wardle set Saunders through down the left and his first time low cross was helped home by Alam!
Margate continued to dominate the first half and it was Iman again scoring his second and ‘Gate’s third on 35 mins with some great hold up play by Pitman who laid the ball off to Reece Greig and his reverse pass found Alam who slotted home to take a 0 – 3 halftime lead.
Margate knew that Faversham would have to be more creative and positive and they did exactly that. A disputed corner brought them back into the game on 53 mins with a fine header to reduce the deficit and shortly after in the 59min a powerful first time strike gave Margate ‘keeper Blake Page no chance making it 2 – 3 with Faversham now enjoying their best spell of the game.
However Margate held firm and thought they had scored on 68 mins when a great run from substitute Tyler Lee found Saunders to score but was offside.
This spurred on the young ‘Gate side and the introduction of Bobby Hulme and Danny Martin made the difference. It was a brilliant run and challenge on the ‘keeper from Hulme on 85 mins that rebounded out to the waiting Martin and his first time low drive made it four.
Two minutes after, again good work from Hulme, moved the ball quickly to the ever improving Fin Saunders and his cross gave Martin his second and Margate’s fifth capping off a very good nights work and booking a place in the semi-final.
Manager Tur Hoxha post match reaction.
“We were brilliant again. The most important thing is the way we played football today. We had a fantastic first half of possession, probably the best we have played this season.”
“High tempo, good passing and movements, the third man runs, overlaps, we were fantastic in that first half.”
“I’m massively proud of the boys with how they battled back from that setback and potential Faversham comeback, they withstood the pressure, stuck to the task and got the deserved win, now we push on from here.”
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