This game was played in the caged area in Hartsdown Park. The game started with us on the front foot from the first kick. Margate were keen to stay tight to our players but that allowed us to play the ball around them or manage to turn and roll the defenders. Margate came out very physical and were guilty of several early contact infringements.
We played fast football and were passing to feet and our movement off the ball was pulling the opposition wide giving Gareth plenty of room through the middle. We settled the better with Margate all very vocal with the referee and argumentative about the decisions he made (good or bad). We remained calm and allowed Margate's indiscipline to continue and become more vociferous.
We were enjoying the majority of possession and our high press soon paid off. Margate couldn't get to grips with our interplay, especially between Gareth and Jason, and it Gareth who found space and whose low drive found the back of the net.
We were soon two nil up with Andy B finding space down the left and the ball was centred to Jason who squared to Gareth for his and our second.
Margate continued to play a physical game and the referee was starting to pull them more regularly. We were given a free kick close to the edge of the Margate box. We chose to try a tactic from the training ground whereby Jason touched the ball and moved away taking a defender with him and leaving Gareth a clear shot at goal. Unfortunately, the referee didn't see Jason touch the ball and refused to award the goal. Margate were adamant we were just being deceitful and that we were trying to cheat.
If anything, we were more galvanised to get more. We didn't have to wait long we won the ball back and played the ball up the left from Andy to Gareth who put the ball across to Jason whose quick turn and shot beat the keeper to his left.
We were now controlling the game completely and Margate were struggling to get a foot on the ball. With half time almost on us, Gareth again found space having rolled his defender and shot low passed their keeper for our fourth and his hattrick.
That is how we went in a half time and we made changes but maintained the shape for the second half.
We started the second half as we had finished the first. We were in complete control of the ball and possession was all ours. We were playing the ball up to Gareth and Jason with both of them enjoying space in the pockets and to be able to play off one another. Margate also continue to play very aggressively and further contact fouls were committed.
They had already realised that we had got some ideas about free kicks and were now even more keen to look out for the ball to be touched and struck. However, at this point, Paul placed the ball for the free kick with Gareth directly behind him. Instead of taking the kick, Paul walked over the ball and up to the edge of their box. Gareth stepped forward and passed to Paul, who nobody had tracked or marked and he took a touch and put his shot high passed their keeper.
We continued to pull the opposition apart with Gareth, Jason, Phil and John all forcing the keeper into good saves. In saving a shot from Gareth, the keeper unfortunately injured his shoulder and he couldn't continue. Without a substitute goalkeeper, Margate had to put an outfield playing in and brought on another defender. Having seen how we were attacking the replacement keeper wasn't looking forward to the remaining 10 minutes or so.
The contact fouls kept coming and Paul was the recipient of a nasty one down the side of his shin. With Mike on the bench, Paul went off and Mike slotted into the defence.
The shots kept coming and the ball either just went wide or it hit the keeper rather than him making a save. Eventually though the pressure paid dividends and Gareth had his fourth. We intercepted a wayward pass and the ball moved rapidly to Gareth who finished low and hard.
Soon after the the restart, another extremely physical and unfair challenge on Phil left him limping. With only a few minutes remaining Paul returned to the fray with Phil taking a well earned rest.
This was just enough time for Gareth to bag our seventh from a swift turn and shot.
That is how the game finished. A clean sheet and seven goals with another fantastic performance with excellent discipline shown throughout by us especially with all of the contact from Margate. To have our half time break with Andy C almost being dumbstruck shows how well we played.
My thanks to the team to give everything, maintain our shape, follow our men and talk to each constantly was a pleasure to be part of.
My thanks to John R and Mike for coming in as subs and to Andy C as the unused substitute.
My special thanks to the supporters who came out to watch us.
The Player Of The Match was Gareth for his 5 goals.
Paul
