Reserves 4 Dover Ath Reserves 2 Kent League Div 1

[BlueGate Alan]

On a lovely sunny afternoon at Hartsdown a young, pacy, skilful Margate side outplayed the league leaders Dover Athletic.

 

First chance came in the 7th minute when a delightful corner by Elliott Payne found the oncoming Ollie Gray, who hit a shot which crashed off the underside of the bar and down onto the line which a Dover defender then cleared. However Gray was not to be denied his first goal for the Reserves and in the 15th minute he had his moment of glory. Payne took a free kick on the right and swung it into the danger area,the ball alluding everyone apart from Ollie Gray who sneaked around the back and cooly slotted the ball home.

 

Six minutes later Margate doubled their lead when the Dover keeper put his defender in trouble with a short goal kick and with Chris Lewis pouncing on him his hurried clearance only found Shane Brown, who twisted into the area before shooting into the bottom right hand corner of the net. SCS, who had not really been in action, then made a great finger tip save over the bar from a well hit shot from the Dover number 10 in the 25th minute.

 

Five minutes from half time on a rare Dover attack, a defensive error let in Dover's most dangerous player their number 11 who slid the ball into the net. SCS then tipped over another shot by number 10 two minutes later. The final chance of the half fell to Brown who latched onto a long clerance from SCS, ran into the left side of the area and shot, when perhaps it would have been better to have squared it to the waiting Lewis, the shot being saved by the Dover keeper.

 

In the 58th minute Margate regained a two goal lead when Curtis Winnett, who had just come on for the injured Brown, was brought down in the area. Elliott Payne placed the ball on the spot and cooly fired home sending the keeper the wrong way. ten minutes later the Dover number 2 stole into the area but was tackled by Nick Argyrides, the ball still span towards goal but SCS pounced on it well.

 

Then in the 75th minute the Dover number 11 again showed his ability latching onto a throw in and from 25 yards out looping his shot into the top left hand corner of the net. A minute later Payne again curled a free kick in which this time went just past left hand post. Payne then took another free kick in the 85th minute which found Lewis but his shot founfd the keepers arms. A minute later Margate scored the killer goal when a bad pass from Dover was latched onto by Curtis Winnett who ran on into the area before slotting the ball home to give his side a well deserved win.

 

Team: SCS, Stokes, Harman, Gray, Argyrides, Woodward, McAree (Axon 80th), Noble, Brown (Winnett 56th), Lewis, Payne. Unused subs: Pile, Treadwell and Kecki.

[BlueGate Alan]

Forgot to say attendance 76 which is not bad for a Reserve game.

[Anonwatcher]

Enjoyed this game, Dover didnt look like top of the table side when we dominated both halfs, and with regular reserve players rested it was gd to see the others can easily slot in. Thought McAree had a great game bt maybe tired which is understandable. Winnett gave us that extra something upfront which messed up there defence winning us a pen and also scoring the fourth. Stokes was good at right back again and Lewis didnt stop running. All in all a good team performance

[michael]

I was surprised treadwell did not play, but as you suggest- maybe he was just rested.

 

Must be a rrally good squad to apply rotation in reserve games.

 

Up the 'gate

[CT9]

The one touch passing that these lads played was mouth-watering. Each and everyone of them played very well. The new lad Winnett looked impressive, when he came on; up front.

We were by far the better team. Very well done.

It was great to see the lads, that impressed me so much last season and the beginning this, all playing so well yet again. Their football is a joy to watch!

[BlueGate Alan]

Agree Hippy. Also good to see some more fans coming through the turnstiles to see the games too.

[Iris's Tea Hut]

I had it down as an own goal, a pen and two early Christmas presents. Although that no way implies anything other than a canter for the blues. They look really good value and I can't wait for the semi final. A cracking afternoon in the sunshine!!

[BlueGate Alan]

Reminds me ITH must update the fixtures now Kent League have confirmed when semi final is.

[BlueGate Alan]

If you mean first goal ITH, was definately scored by Ollie, he confirmed with me in the bar after the game.

[Iris's Tea Hut]

Hairy muff. My eye sight isn't the best. And if a player claims a goal, well....