Salisbury at the double but U16s held

The U16s were unlucky on Sunday afternoon after surrendering a two goal lead at home allowing Margate to claw their way back into the game and level with just two minutes remaining.

And although the visitors had showed promise and threat throughout the game, they had rarely troubled keeper Stanley Allom's goal until well into the second half. The home side will have therefore been disappointed to let their guard down and concede two goals. It was certainly a very different game to the reverse fixture back in September when the Oyster boys ran out comfortable four nil winners at Hartsdown Park.

The first half began in a well-matched fashion with the visitors starting quickly with a shot as early as the third minute although it had petered out before Allom came to collect it. They had also put several long balls through that Allom and his defenders had to be alert to snuff out in the opening exchanges.

But Whitstable were threatening as well - particularly down the left hand side with left back Will Knoupe providing a strong presence defending and connecting with winger Sonnie Hemmings. Knoupe also made several important tackles in the first ten minutes to stop the visitors getting the upper hand. On the right hand side Jamie Lartice was working hard as always and looking to play in forward Jake Salisbury whenever the chance arose although he had to spend a fair bit of the half defending as Margate were constantly on the look out to play in behind him.

Captain Archie Rumball was working tirelessly in midfield alongside the impressive Alfie Hill and Callum Groom while, up front, striker Salisbury was getting some early joy from a few runs and crosses. Whitstable had been a little slow to get going but they did manage shots from distance from Hill and a more promising one from Hemmings that unfortunately sailed over the bar.

And despite the Oyster boys centre back pairing of Ollie Bunn and Harrison Wade being the slightly busier of the defences in the first 15 minutes, it was Whitstable who opened the scoring.

It came following a series of well-connected passes from Knoupe and Rumball ending with a lovely ball floated over to Salisbury who met it perfectly and finished with aplomb over the outstretched hands of the Margate keeper.

That was the trigger for the home side to get into their stride and soon they were positively purring as the ball was passed around from side to side and front to back. It seemed only a matter of time before the next goal came as defender Leo Cornhill sent in a number of free kicks and corners and Hemmings had another shot that was well blocked.

But the goal didn’t come and neither were Margate deterred as they instead stepped up the tempo. As the half wore to a close the away side were unlucky not to get a goal as they were gifted two golden chances to equalise after Whitstable gave away two free kicks outside their box. The home side escaped this time but were nearly punished moments later when a couple of their own stray passes allowed Margate to threaten again.

Once more the U16s could breathe a sigh of relief as the away side failed to test Allom. But it was a worrying sign of what was to come.

Half time 1-0

Whitstable made three changes at the break with right back Ioannis Gayle, midfielder Will Derby and winger Dylan Richards coming on but it was Margate who started the half on the front foot looking to get back on level terms.

They created some difficult early moments for the home side as they packed the midfield and put the U16s on the back foot. But their finishing was still a bit off which allowed Whitstable to ride out the early pressure and then start to use the ball more effectively themselves.

Richards was starting to enjoy himself on the left hand side connecting well with Derby and Hill and, on the opposite wing, Hemmings was constantly driving at the Margate defence and playing dangerous balls into the box. Several chances then fell to Whitstable signalling the grip on the game they were developing.

First Hemmings broke into the box and shot but it was smothered by the keeper before Richards collected the ball on the right hand side and put in a wonderful looping shot that beat the keeper before, frustratingly, hitting the cross bar and bouncing to safety.

The U16s kept their momentum however and were soon two goals to the good in the 51st minute. It was Salisbury on the score sheet again after another solid period of passing for the home team that led to the ball being played to the striker in the box and him finishing low into the back of the net.

But Margate kept at it and both Bunn and Alfie Mantle (who had replaced the injured Wade) had to be strong as the visitors continued to press.

In the 58th minute Allom had his first save to make - and what a save it was - as he tipped it behind for a Margate corner. His counterpart at the other end of the pitch then pulled off an equally impressive stop when it seemed that Hemmings must score to make it three nil. But his miraculous one handed save proved pivotal as, only minutes later, Margate grabbed a goal back.

Suddenly Margate could see a way back to get on level terms and they turned up the pressure a notch.

Gayle and Groom had to put in important tackles to keep the visitors at bay and Allom was again called upon to make a save as the Margate strikers broke through. It was end to end stuff as Mantle fired in a series of free kicks into the visitor’s box but their defenders were equal to them.

With ten minutes remaining a small fracas broke out and both Rumball and the Margate player involved received cautions.

Shortly afterwards, Whitstable gave away another free kick and Allom had to pull off a stunning save.

Margate’s tails were up though and after two further free kicks were given away outside the box, the visitor’s had their equaliser with two minutes left on the clock.

Ironically, it was an ex-Whitstable town player who secured the equaliser when Fin Turner dispatched a well-taken free kick beyond the palms of Allom. The goal created World cup fever at the Belmont for Margate as the visitor’s coaches and substitutes erupted onto the pitch when the ball hit the back of the net.

And despite shots from Derby and Salisbury and further excellent work from Richards that could have secured a win for the U16s in the dying minutes, the game ended in a draw. The U16s are still unbeaten so far this season but will be frustrated at not being able to hold onto their lead today particularly as they played some fantastic football and scored some wonderful goals.

Next week the U16s (who are now third in the table) travel to Cray for another cup fixture.

Full time 2-2

Team:
Allom
Bunn
Wade
Cornhill
Knoupe
Groom
Hill
Rumball (c)
Lartice
Hemmings
Salisbury

Subs:
Derby
Gayle
Mantle
Richards