By Paul Meade
Margate U23’s gave their best performance, in terms of character, commitment and resilience on Thursday evening, with a dogged and determined victory away to Erith Town U23’s.
They did not start well and found themselves struggling to get into the game and with a long ball over the top, The ‘Gate’s keeper Blake Page found himself with a one-on-one that he could do nothing about and brought down the striker in the area conceding a 12th min penalty.
Despite diving the right way Page could not stop the well struck strike and it was 1-0 to Erith.
Margate’s response was more positive and young wingers Finley Saunders and Darcy Churchward were starting to create opportunities.
Two of those fell to striker Woody Pitman who thought he had equalised on 19 mins, but somehow the opposition ‘keeper stopped his shot on the line.
With Erith continuing to playing long balls , it was again a pass to an onrushing striker who was allowed to turn and shoot into the bottom left hand corner making it 2-0.
Once again Margate’s never say die attitude was no more evident than Reece Greig’s fine strike on 42mins giving them a foothold back in the game.
HT 2-1
The second half performance was exactly what you would expect for a cup semi-final, with both teams creating chances but not converting.
It looked like it was not going to be Margate’s night with the opposition ‘keeper in fine form and chances that should have been taken being missed.
But the longer the game went on it was Margate finishing the stronger. A fine through ball to Churchward and his strong run and low excellent strike gave the ‘keeper no chance and was a well deserved equaliser on 78min.
This set up a grandstand finish and with both teams continuing to miss chances the game headed into penalties.
Blake Pages excellent solid save in the shootout set up pressure for Erith’s taker and his strike sailed over the bar to put Margate into their second final in three years.
FT 2-2 (Margate U23’s win 8-7 on pens)
Post match reflection from coach Chris Mills.
“Great result for the boys to reach the final they showed their grit, determination and desire to get the result, thought we created a good few chances to score and take lead but wasn’t to be, but the character to come back from two down was nothing less than we expected from these boys.”
“Going to pens is always hard but credit to them for stepping up and getting the job done. We can now look forward to a cup final but in mean time we re-focus and get back to league action next Friday home to Deal.”
“Thanks for all the support for especially home games but away too.”
UP THE ‘GATE
