U23's Lose To Chatham Ending Long Home Unbeaten Streak

By Paul Meade

Margate U23’s season-long undefeated home record came to an abrupt halt at the hands of Chatham FC U23s with a disappointing 0-3 defeat.

The young ‘Gate side struggled to compete for long periods of the game and were unable to deal with a very strong, quick passing opposition.

Margate did create a great opportunity early in the half when their best chance to take the lead fell to Conner Wardle whose fierce left foot drive was somehow turned around the post. But, in the 36th minute it was the quick thinking of the Chatham winger who opened the scoring with a 30-yard lob over the helpless Blake Winter.

The Town doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime this time with another lobbed goal after The Gate defenders could not clear their lines and the visitors went into the break two ahead.

The second half saw a much improved start, with Margate deciding to play a much higher line asking questions of the opponents defence with two quick chances on goal by Loui Mirza and Iman on just before the 50th minute.

But it was another poor decision that allowed Chatham to score their third and final goal with an unmarked attacker heading into an empty net at the far post from an unchallenged right-wing cross.

Despite the game being lost at this stage the young ‘Gate side showed great character to the final whistle and still created chances with a positive run from Rueben Fagg who found Woody Pitman, but his shot was well saved. Kodie Bristow hit the post with a header and some long-range efforts was the best of an improved second half, but the game would end 0-3.

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