23's Defeated By Baypoint In PSF

By Paul Meade

Margate U23’s continued their build-up to the new season with a very entertaining preseason match against a strong Baypoint side. 

With several trialists and youth players in a large squad of twenty players, there was plenty of opportunities to impress despite many changes throughout the match.

Margate settled the much better side in the first half and had some good combination play all over the pitch. It was during one of these plays that they opened the scoring with a fierce left foot shot on 11 minutes from young left back Fenn Roberts firing in to the bottom right hand corner.

This inspired the home team to press further forward for much of the first half as the Blues continued to play some very attractive passing patterns.

Despite this positive attacking possession, Margate were unable to find the second goal and found creating actual goal scoring opportunities difficult. There where long range efforts from Vinnie Bowman, Charlie Meade and Lamin which unfortunately never troubled the Baypoint keeper.

As the young ‘Gate side continued to search for the next goal, a long ball over the top in the 44th minute was not dealt with as it was half cleared it fell to the opposition’s striker who’s shot could only be palmed out by keeper Kyle Simmons straight to a waiting Baypoint player who slotted home from close range for the equaliser.

With both teams making lots of changes at half-time and during the second half it was inevitable, as is the case in these pre-season games, that it became less fluent.

Margate continued the first 10 minutes as they had in the first half and could have taken the lead with their first attack with a fine through ball from Bowman which was met by Kodie Bristow, but his clever run and shot went wide of the far post.

As the second half progressed Baypoint started to take control and have more attacking breakaways with Margate, understandably losing some shape with their player rotations and change of formations.

From a Baypoint corner, Jack Scott’s punch fell kindly to opposition attacker who fired home to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage.

There were still chances for the young gate side with Meade, Kodie Bristow and Bowman all having chances saved. Margate thought they had a deserved equaliser in 62nd minute with a direct free kick rattling the Baypoint post by Ned Llewellyn Odlin, but they couldn’t react to the rebound as Baypoint held on for the 2-1 win.

Overall this was another positive display with so many young players displaying excellent character, quality and attitude to understand and identify the expectations of their next level of football development.

Goal: Fenn Roberts

MOM: David Woodgate

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