Medway Magic were left to rue missing several first half chances as they lost 3 - 2 to Cliffe Woods Colts Reserves on Sunday. That said, Cliffe were good value for their victory with an energetic and attacking performance that belied their early results and in truth could have scored more in a dominant second half period. That all the goals conceded were of Magic's own making and easily avoidable made this a more difficult performance and result to take and puts pressure on the team in next week's game against unbeaten Lordswood Colts after 4 games without a win.
For the second game running Magic started poorly and conceded after only 3 minutes, a corner leaving a Cliffe player unchallenged to chest home from two yards out. They quickly recomposed though and were level soon after. Dan Williams missed when put through before on 10 minutes a slide rule pass from Mark Peters allowed Austin clear on goal and he slotted passed the keeper. Magic began to take control, first Issa missing when he had a clear opportunity to pass to Dan for a clear shot, then Ola skipping past two challenges and putting Austin in for a shot on goal, before Austin was left clear again, this time put through by Issa, before calmly rounding the keeper and slotting home.
At 2-1 and dominant Magic should have taken control but instead they were given a scare when from a poor throw in and lost possession, Cliffe going close to levelling. Mark Peters had a chance to extend Magic's lead as his shot was blocked over the bar and Austin could have increased the lead before after 34 minutes Cliffe scored an equaliser. Magic lost the ball and two attempts at offside both failed allowing the right winger, with Magic's left back missing, to slot across goal for another tap in.
For a game full of chances on a large wide pitch, the half petered out in the last 10 minutes and finished 2-2.
The second half began full of effort and running with little chances and the only note of mention was the first of three Cliffe bookings for a complete disaster gave Cliffe a lead they did not relinquish. Magic were awarded a free kick just before the halfway line and Carl, in what seemed like three minds, eventually opted for a short pass to Toby. The return pass was slightly underhit and though Carl could have cleared easily he opted for a piece of skill that in layman's terms was atrociously bad. Cliffe's striker just picked up the ball, strode through unchallenged and slotted past Jack.
Uche came on at the hour mark and within minutes Mark Peter put a cross shot just past the post. But instead of invigorating Magic this had the opposite effect and for 20 minutes Magic fell under the first sustained pressure of the whole season. Cliffe created five or six good chances and Jack made some great saves to keep us in the game. With substitutes Mike Walker and Tel coming on and switching to a 4-4-2 Magic created a good chance to save the game but Uche was unable to control and with the game now end to end that turned out to be our final chance, Cliffe finishing well and creating two more chances in the last few minutes first hitting the post before firing into the side netting.
