Medway Magic contested a hard fought draw against Medway NPU but should have come away with more after their winning goal was controversially disallowed for offside. They can take credit though from playing the better football on a hot day and fighting back twice from a goal down to take a point.
On this occassion Magic started well and took the lead through a sublime strike from Issa, cutting in from the right flank and placing an unstoppable shot into the far corner. They continued to control the game but within minutes found themselves behind. Comfortably controlling the ball and passing around the ball was played across defence but Richard's heavy touch allowed him to be caught in posession and the NPU forward finished easily. Minutes later a long ball was not dealt with by Magic and NPU's other striker took advantage of the second gift to put his side in front.
Magic continued forward durign the first half and after almost snatching an equaliser following Joe's block on the keeper's clearance they drew level as NPU copied the Magic's earlier defending and gifted us a goal. Mike Walker took advantage of some resistancy in the NPU defence and ran through and rounded the keeper to score - but not before giving everyone a fright by tripping over his standing leg.
The second half began with Magic again in control and playing good football and a team move saw Mike Marter through on goal but his shot coming back off the post and into the keepers arms. Alex was substituted due to injury and Mick Pepper, who had good game providing energy and simple pass and move football, replacing him. And immediately Magic were behind, a third defensive mistake allowing another simple finish for NPU. In danger of allowing NPU an easy victory through our own mistakes Dan Williams moved back into central defence to shore things up and the formation moved to 4-4-2. It looked as if it might not be our day when Joe was injured but with Shenton moving into the centre we finished strongly.
Mike Walker headed home from a Shenton corner before in the last 10 minutes we thought we had won it, and with this Mike Walker had scored the Magic's first hat-trick. Mick Pepper played in Issa who rounded the defender and cut back for Tel. Tel's shot was mishit but fell kindly for Mike to score cleanly. Celebrations were short lived however as the linesman flagged offside and after consulting the linesman the referee disallowed the goal. Having approached the referee and linesman over the incident they claimed Issa was offside - even though he had got the ball and gone passed a defender. the ball was cut BACK to tel and Mike shot through 2 defenders so the whole thing is a mystery and the referee merely said he had to give it on the linesman's advice.
Towards the end of the game the referee gave what I believe was the first free kick, showing what a good clean game it was and by the finish it was end to end but without anyone able to break the deadlock.
The good news in that the injuries do not seem too serious and everyone should be back for the Final, if not next weeks double game.
