Deal Town Res 2, Margate Res 2 Floodlight Trophy

[BlueGate Alan]

On a chilly evening at the Charles ground Deal, which saw the return of Dan Stokes to his former club, albeit on the bench, Margate dominated much of the game and looked to be heading for a win until Deal equalised in the last minute of normal time.

 

The first chance of the game fell to the speedy Shane Brown in the 5th minute, who gave the Deal defence problems all night, when he latched on to a through ball but the keeper saved his shot well and Jonny Greves following up the rebound hit it just wide. Twelve minutes later Brown again broke through on the right and put over a cross which found Greves but the ball seemed to stick under his feet and the chance was lost.

 

Sam Noble then hit a powerful shot from 25 yards which the keeper did well to get too. In the 24th minute there was a great period of play started by Nick Treadwell who won a ball in his own area, moving forward finding Greves on the right who crossed it to Brown who saw his well struck shot fizz past the post. Deal took the lead against the run of play in the 27th minute, when a delightful through ball found the Number 9 and he moved forward slotting the ball home against Mark Beresford.

 

They nearly doubled their lead when a free kick from Number 11 on the edge of the area just went over the bar. However Margate still pressed forward and in the 42nd minute got their deserved equaliser. Another cross by Brown found Aaron Quain in the middle of the area, he turned on the ball and managed to poke it past the diving Deal keeper, into the bottom right hand corner.

 

Margate came out in the second half with more determination and in the 48th minute Elliott Payne picked the ball up in space and from 30 yards unleashed a shot which the keeper fumbled but retook just before Greves could get to rebound. Quain then took a dangerous inswinging corner and found the head of the incoming Curtis Winnett who was unlucky to see his header hitting the bar. Deal had a long throw expert in their ranks and on the hour he found the Number 8 who hit a shot but Beresford saved well.

 

Two minutes later Quain played a great through ball to Brown but keeper coming out got to ball just before him, however his clearance found Greves who tried a chip only to see the keeper get back and make a great save. Deal nearly took the lead when their dangerous Number 12 jinxed his way into the area but saw his shot come off the post. This stirred Margate into more attacking stuff, Paul Axon showed some of his old magic getting hold of the ball on the right and trying a curling shot towards top left hand corner which, once again, the goalie saved under his bar.

 

The keeper mishit a clearance which found Axon and, seeing him off his line, tried a chip from 30 yards which the keeper managed to grab over his head. Two Margate subs were then used Olti Kecki replacing Sam Noble and Chris Lewis replacing Greves who had got injured in the last attack. This gave Margate more pace up front and caused numerous problems for the Deal defence. It was no surprise when Margate took the lead in the 78th minute when a great cross by Axon found Luke Wheatley who headed to Nick Treadwell , he turned on ball and hooked it into the left hand corner of the net.

 

A minute later the hard working Brown nearly increased the lead when a Quain cross found him but his header went just wide. Axon then hit a well struck shot which was saved again. However with time running out Deal won a corner on the left and swinging in found the Number 7 who fired home the equaliser. To Margate's praise they didn't let their heads drop and Brown and Lewis terrorised the Deal defence in the extra 5 minutes of injury time but could not find the break through.

 

Team: Beresford, Harker, Payne, Treadwell, Wheatley, Noble (Kecki 72), Axon, Winnett, Greves (Lewis 72), Brown, Quain. Unused subs, McAree, Stokes, AN Other.

[Anonwatcher]

I thought the midfield worked well and was well structured, silly mistakes cost us and we still need a prolific finisher. Im liking the youngsters coming through, thought Quain, Winnett, Axon had good games.

[BlueGate Alan]

Yes, though I thought when Kecki came on he controlled it even better. Strange you say that about a prolific finisher, if Sam Cliff had been playing I believe we would have buried them.

 

Agree with Curtis my first look of him, very strong and tireless.

[Anonwatcher]

yes but as i believe he is first team now so will be playin few games for the reserves. Shane just needs confidence i think.

Agree, didnt seem scared of a tackle n good in the air i thought

[BlueGate Alan]

Yes Shane's pace certainly scares defences and he trys 100%.

[michael]

Is that curtis winnett you are both speaking highly of ?

who is he ?

first time i've read mention of him.

Is he a local lad-taken from local club football-or from further afield ?

[BlueGate Alan]

A local lad, was told he was a friend of Shane Brown's, been injured up until now.

[Anonwatcher]

plays for the Dolphin on sundays. Has played for Rams 18's a while back.

[Porka]

I've played alongside Curtis a few years ago and he's a very solid player. Started off playing at right back but can see why he's developed into a midfielder. Very good technically. He'll be 20/21 I think.

[TSO]

Yep I'd say your spot on Porka. Curtis is a year older than Jason they used to play together at u15 and u16 MUSH level.