U18's Blues Beat Thamesmead To Progress In FA Youth Cup

Report by Ant Coombes

The Gate were in the ascendancy from the off, but struggled to get any shots away in the opening exchanges - whilst Thamesmead showed signs of being dangerous on the break - with lone striker Ade Aoniran causing problems with his height and pace.

The first attempt of note arrived in the 11th minute. Jardel Conteh and Tom Webster linked up well down the left, and after a fine move infield, striker Olly Baker was denied by a low save at Odaranile's near post. This was followed by a spell of intense pressure from the Margate youngsters, with Odaranile called into action a further 3 times in the following minutes.

Much of Margate's good work was coming down the left hand side, with fullback Conteh enjoying a license to get forward. There was no joy down the middle as the 'Mead centre backs comfortably dealt with a succession of long balls, infuriataing Jay Stubberfield, with the Margate manager bellowing at his side to get the ball down.

Harvey Laws was also showing some attacking intent, and it needed a fine block to deny the right back when he powered an effort in from 25 yards in the 24th minute.

Margate finally took the lead 2 minutes later. A short corner from left was well worked, and when Jack Fenton found space at the corner of the box he whipped the ball goalwards and Oradanile was beaten - with the aid of a massive deflection.

The goal visibly raised the confidence of the home side, and some fine free flowing football was played in the next few minutes, with everybody getting involved as they strung passes together at will - resulting in a deep Webster cross headed accross goal and agonisingly wide by Baker. Webster was again involved shortly after, with his dangerous cross fumbled by Odaranile who did magnificently to recover and block the resulting rebound at point blank range.

HALF TIME: Margate FC U18s 1-0 Thamesmead Town U18s

Margate began the second half in much the same was as they ended the first, but with Thamesmead having pace on the break, a second goal was needed - particularly when 'Mead gave Aoeniran a strike partner after around 10 minutes of the half as they adopted a 4-4-2 formation. However, Margate saw the opportunity to dictate the game in the middle of the park, and it was only down to Odaranile that the second goal didn't come earlier, as Baker and Ziyad Ghali both spurned one on one opportunities after defence splitting passes - Ghali really should have done better when played through by Jack Fenton, who was relishing the extra space he was being afforded.

Lennie Laver was the first to go into the referee's book - the left back bringing down Laws deep down the right after a mazy run. There was no intent but the array of skills from the 'Gate fullback had Laver beaten.

Evidence of the danger of a 1-0 scoreline was apparent, and substitute Nathan Hullett launched himself in the way of a fierce goalbound attempt - a tremendous block which diverted the ball for a corner, which was comfortable dealt with by the hosts, who went straight up the other end and nearly doubled their lead, but 'Mead finally cleared as the ball pinged around their box but wouldn't fall to a blue shirt.

The second goal eventually arrived in the 72nd minute. A cross from the impressive Webster found Josh Richards in acres of space in the penalty box,and he fired the ball home. Thamesmead were furious with the assistant referee for not raising his flag - but Richards was one of two 'Gate players who were onside when the ball was played in.

It looked as if Harvey Laws had killed the game off with 5 minutes remaining, but his long distance effort crept agonisingly wide of the right hand post. The final goal did come, though, just a couple of minutes later, when Jack Fenton was rewarded his efforts. A thunderous effort from over 30 yards which had Odaranile grasping at thin air as the ball sailed into the roof of the net. Margate continued to press, and after Richards was denied a decent penalty shout, Odaranile made another save to keep the scoreline respectable. There was still time for Thamesmead's Luke Davis to go into the book - a deserved yellow for a nasty challenge which was not inkeeping with his performance, or the match as a whole.

 The victory sees Margate line up a potential derby against Ramsgate in the next round, but The Rams must first see off the challenge of Hollands and Blair for the right to visit Hartsdown Park on Thursday 21st September. Despite the relative comfort of the victory, Stubberfield was disappointed his side did not kill the game off sooner, with the side falling short of the levels he expects off them - whilst highlighting the efforts of Webster, Richards, and Tyler Dockwray - as well as 'keeper Lewis Mitchell who kept his concentration levels up to look assured whenever called up.

Margate U18s: Lewis Mitchell, Harvey Laws, Jardell Conteh, Harvey Killick, Will Jupp, Tyler Dockwray, Tom Webster, Jack Fenton, Olly Baker, Ziyad Ghali, Jack Bray

Subs: Nathan Hulleyy, Riley Mallon, Josh Richards, Ibrahim Adegbite, Reece Walker

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