By Paul Meade
Margate U23’s travelled to title contenders elect Maidstone Utd on Tuesday evening and can think themselves very unfortunate not to come away from The Gallagher Stadium with at least a point.
The first half although a little scrappy affair at times, from both teams, did not stop good goal scoring opportunities. Margate ‘keeper Blake Page, who was in great form, could not do anything about the opening goal in the 34th minute after the striker ran through and drilled his shot into the far corner.
The ‘Gate continued to press hard and a great turn and volley from Jamie Summers could only be directed straight at the ‘keeper.
Margate thought they had equalised in the 41st minute when a corner was met perfectly from striker Woody Pitman but his goal bound header was somehow turned past the post.
Maidstone had two further first half one-on-one chances, but found Page more than equal to their efforts.
HT 1 – 0
Margate started much stronger in the second half and began to compete with much more urgency.
Chidu, Fabian De Oliveria and Summers began to find wingers Darcy Churchward and Finley Saunders more often and it was a cross by Churchward on 63 mins that brought Margate’s deserved equaliser when the opposition defender could only put his clearance into his own net.
This shocked Maidstone and although more chances were created by Pitman hitting the post, Saunders cross shot and long range efforts from Fabian and Chidu, it was clearer chances created from the opposition, but once again Blake Page kept The ‘Gate side in the match.
The game however became much more difficult when Louis Reavill’s foul on the edge of the box on 74 mins resulted in him being dismissed for his second yellow card.
The coaching team then had to make difficult changes and despite going down to ten men every player showed fantastic character, resilience and determination to save a point but it just wasn’t enough in the end with the last kick of the game belonging to a Maidstone winner.
Despite playing the last twenty minutes with ten men this was a monumental effort by the players and looked like a draw would be the outcome. Unfortunately a 94th minute corner and goal mouth scramble was enough to give Maidstone all three points.
FT 2 – 1
Coach Paul Meade post-match comments.
“This group of players have a fantastic attitude and character. They have faced many different and difficult challenges this season with the transition into U23 adult football.”
“Tonight was another one of those challenges against a very disciplined and strong Maidstone team.”
Playing twenty minutes with ten-men and having to adapt formation which they have not experienced before, showed great courage and determination . An achievement they should feel proud of!”
UP THE ‘GATE
