A Point A Piece At Staines

It was a point a piece for two of the Bostik League's play off contenders as Margate drew 2-2 away at free-scoring Staines Town on Saturday afternoon.

Returning to the starting eleven, Liam Friend showed his aerial threat early on, almost nodding The Gate ahead with an effort that went inches wide.  

The visitors continued to look the brightest in the opening stages when Jordan Chiedozie enforced a smart save with a powerful shot in the area. 

Basselle Astride looked lively down the left hand side, carving space and opportunities to test Staines’ defensive capabilities.

He beat the offside trap to side foot the ball into the path of Chiedozie who tried to manoeuvre space to pass the ball into the back of the net but Staines effectively cleared their lines.  

As possession began to even out as the half wore on, it was still Margate who enjoyed the game’s clearer chances. Lee Prescott picking out a delightful cross to find the head of Chiedozie but the keeper, positioned well, was able to gather the ball.  

Staines grew into the game as the half wore on, enjoying more possession but reduced by an organised Margate defeat to a handful of shots from distance.

The deadlock was broken in emphatic style when Jack Evans made a positive galloping run into the box, matching the attacking move with an equally impressive finish to give Margate the lead. 

A classy goal and a hard-fought lead for Margate who showed the strength of their side down the other end moments later when goalkeeper Lenny Pidgely pulled off an outstanding, reactive save to sustain the lead.  

Margate kept their shape and discipline until the break, taking a deserved goal lead into half time. 

In an end to end and entertaining encounter, the hosts showed their attacking intent from the off for the second half but it was The Gate who scored again. 

Friend rising highest to get on the end of a testing in-swinging corner, nodded the ball through a sea of bodies to doubled Margate’s advantage.  

The visitors looked comfortable in possession for long periods and it took a disappointing communication error to give Staines a glimmer of hope. 

Gate’s fellow play-off rivals punished the error to nudge the ball home and half their deficit.  

Staines grabbed an equaliser towards the end of the match, an attacking move down the left clinically finished with a goal. 

It could have been an even greater comeback for the hosts when they hit Margate on the counter, with bodies sparse, Captain James Rogers provided some great defensive cover to ensure no further opportunity for Staines. 

With both teams throwing everything into the match, the full time whistle went giving each team a point a piece. 

Margate: Pidgeley, Evans, Wynter, Friend, Swift, Rogers ©, Prescott (Blackman), Bodkin, Astride (Martin), Collin, Chiedozie (May) 

Unused subs: Warden, Simpson 

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