U23's Secure Big Win Away At Chatham

By Paul Meade

Salim Usman's young U23's continued their impressive SCEFL Development League winning run, with a 3-0 victory away to a very disciplined and hardworking Chatham team.

With an increasing confidence in Margate’s squad, they settled early into the game and could have gone ahead as early as the second minute with a fierce long range effort from Owen Wilkinson that just failed to hit the target. Chatham responded with a mixture of quick counter-attacking plays and long balls over the top, but the 'Gate's defence held firm.

Margate became more dominate with shots from Raju Ahmed, Morgan Page, Loui Hoxa and Wilkinson, but found the opposition keeper in fine form. The deadlock, however, was finally broken in the 21st minute, after a series of sharp passes found Morgan Page who drove through Chatham's open defence with his U23 debut goal. 

Nine minutes later Page was at the forefront of the Margate attacks and he linked up with Hoxa to provide a chance for Wilkinson which he tucked away for the 'Gate's second to go in at halftime with a deserved advantage.

Chatham started brighter in the second half, but their efforts were denied by an excellent organised defence of Roberts, Woodgate, Geddes and Chidu. Chatham did think they had pulled a goal back after a curling right foot shot that seemed destined for the top corner was somehow tipped around the post, by 'Gate keeper Alfie Langford.

Margate turned on the gas once more, and a dominant show of strength from centre-mid, Jok, began to cause problems. It was this that allowed Page to set up shots from Charlie Meade and Kodie Bristow. 

Margate finally sealed the three points when Meade turned inside and hit his low shot beyond the keeper after being set free down the left by good combination play from Jok and Morgan Page for the 3-0 victory!

Margate now have an eleven day break before their next game ,at home to Larkfield & New Hythe on 29th Feb.

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