U23's Secure Victory Against Snodland Town

By Paul Meade

Margate U23s were looking to bounce back after last weeks narrow defeat to Faversham with a win at home against mid-table Snodland, that would move them to the the top of the SCEFL Development League.

The game, however, did not start how manager Salim Usman expected, and The 'Gate found themselves 1 down after only two minutes from a long clearance over the top that wasn't dealt with and The Towns strong striker fired them in front.

A quick response was required but it was Snodland's long ball again causing problems with their striker running through only to be brought down in the 21st minute by Margate 'keeper Alfie Langford,  giving the ref no choice in awarding a penalty which was dually converted for their second.

Margate came out for the second half with everything to play for, and needed a much better performance. This they gave and were rewarded in the 52nd min through Owen Wilkinson’s tap in at the far post from an excellent corner delivered by Raju Ahmed.

The 'Gate now had the momentum and dominated the play with some intricate passing with a much higher intensity culminating in shots from Loui Hoxha, Fenn Roberts and Reece Greig. The constant pressure was finally rewarded on the hour after some good work down the right between Raju Ahmed and a fine Chidu cross to the far post clipped back into the box by Roberts for the waiting Nathan Geddes to head home the equaliser.

Not settling for a point, Margate increased their dominance in midfield with Greig, Wilkinson, Morgan and Hoxha creating more chances and it was from yet another great cross from the right superbly vollied in by Reece Greig on 74 minutes for ultimately what turned out to be a deserved winner.

This was definitely a game of two halves but the character displayed by all the players is a credit to them in securing their place at the top of the table!

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