By Paul Meade
Two second half goals were enough for Deal Town U23’s to take all three points in a frustrating night at Hartsdown Park.
Despite losing two players prior to kick off with injury and illness, the young ‘Gate side returned to their familiar high intensity.
They did have the better of the chances and created good goal scoring opportunities.
One of these fell to Darcy Churchward in the 26th minute who found himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper but dragged his shot wide.
Margate thought they had definitively taken a well deserved lead six minutes later when striker Woody Pitman challenged the ‘keeper who fumbled the ball straight to Thomas Handley and his deft lob was goal bound, but somehow a Deal defender scrambled the ball to safety.
HT 0-0
The second half was not the same as the first for Margate with Deal starting to move the ball at a much quicker pace than they were allowed to before the break.
Margate still created chances but could not find the net. It was a quick break from the opposition in the 59th min that found the Deal winger whose crisp drive gave Blake Page no chance and opened the scoring.
The ‘Gate’s response was excellent and continued with the positive character that has been evident all season.
A direct free kick from Jamie Summers was tipped over the bar on 68 minutes and shortly after another great chance, from a Kodie Bristow pass saw Churchward, again one-on-one, but this time his strike was saved.
Summers then had a great individual run and shot that just went beyond the far post.
As Margate pressed for the equaliser another quick break caught them out on the 77th minute and allowed the opposition striker to turn and fire home from close range to double their lead and ultimately take the points.
Post match comments from coach Paul Meade.
“Overall this was a game of two halves, with us having the best of the first and Deal taking more control of the second.”
“We spoke with the boys at the end of the game and praised them for their early dominance. But reminded them that with having this pressure for so long you need to, at this point and this level, turn that pressure into goals.”
“That was the main difference in the end Deal were very clinical with their clear chances and we weren’t.”
“We thank, once again the crowd and everyone appreciates you taking the time to support these boys on their football journey.”
UP THE ‘GATE
We have another home game Friday and look forward to seeing you all again”
