Maidstone United 0-1 Margate - Margate were the better side, admits Hume

Saturday 26th December 2009

MAIDSTONE UNITED 0-1 MARGATE
Ryman Premier League
Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December 2009
Mike Green reports from Homelands Stadium

In Homelands first piece of competitive action in December, and just the third game played there in six weeks, a solitary goal from Margate skipper Lloyd Blackman was enough to take the points against his former club Maidstone United.

The glee on Blackman’s face as he slid in the 74th minute winner was something to behold, as Stones keeper Jamie Turner was finally beaten after standing fast against the raiders from Thanet.

On no fewer than three occasions did the giant Stones keeper deny the lively Anthony Joseph with fine blocks, but also followed that up with a sensational early save to deny Ben Clarke’s rampaging run through the mud, and a fine tip over of Joe Healy’s chip. But not even Turner could deny the Gate the win, but he came extremely close!

A long cross from Aaron Lacy was met by the diving Healy who’s header was magnificently turned aside by the giant keeper, only for Blackman to slide the rebound beyond the reach of even Turner and into the net – much to the delight of his boss Mark Butler, who spoke to www.kentishfootball.co.uk and BBC Radio Kent after the game.

The Gate boss said, “I’m pleased that Lloyd scored today but the pair of them (Blackman and Anthony Joseph) are in the bar right now, and they’re saying that they’re a team up front but I’m pleased for Lloyd.

“I understand he received some stick here and there but since I’ve been at the club he’s hit five goals in six games, and I’m pleased for him today!”

“It’s been an unusual baptism for me at Margate – not enough games and hardly any at home, lots of personnel changes and conceding lots of goals. But today to keep a clean sheet and three very welcome points makes us all feel very good at Christmas.

“I thought that the bits of football that were played were played by us – we passed it around and looked lovely as we opened them up two or three times and the lads worked really hard on restricting them, as they put a lot of dangerous balls into our area. But our back three today dealt with very very well and when there was a mistake someone else was on hand to mop it up.”

For Stones boss Lloyd Hume however it was a different story. Also talking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk and BBC Radio Kent, the Stones boss was a disappointed manager. “We wanted the game on today – the grounds man’s done a great job here – the pitch was very playable but unfortunately our performance today wasn’t as good at the groundsmans!

“We didn’t really get out of the blocks in the first half – I thought Margate played a very good counter attacking game, and I said at half time that whilst we were possibly the better side we could have easily been two nil down.

“We changed a few things at half time and by having three in the centre of the park it worked for most of the game, but the one time we went to sleep we conceded the winner. I’m desperately disappointed with the performance and I’m even more disappointed that we are still conceding weak goals!”

Hume was though full of praise for his keeper. “I thought Jamie Turner outstanding today and if it hadn’t of been for the big fella we’d have been two or three behind at half time, and even when they scored he made a terrific save, but we didn’t react quick enough. I look at the whole passage of play and I can’t believe the way that we defended, I really cant!”

Yet despite all the chances that Margate created, the Stones still missed a golden opportunity to salvage a point from the game, only for James Pinnock to have a 78th minute penalty superbly saved by Gate keeper Matt Read diving away to his left. And to add injury to insult the keeper was quickest to react to deny the follow up to from substitute Lyndon Rowland.

For Hume though, it summed up his sides day. “I do believe that Pinno’s spot kick was a poor one because it was keepers height,” he said.

“But I do think that we got a penalty out of nothing but I do genuinely believe that, and its not being disrespectful to Margate as they deserved to beat us today, I do not believe that they are a better side than us.

“When I look at the two teams on paper I have genuine belief in my players and that there should be only one winner, but Margate were the better side today – they defended more resolutely than us, they cleared the ball better than us and they gave us less chances. You know sometimes we can be a bit of a pushover and we were today!”

The view for the other bench was though refreshing in these times of disputed decision, and manager Butler said, “I think the penalty save epitomised what I was just saying about pulling together and bailing each other out of trouble. We’ve made an error – was it handball or not? I certainly saw Wayne’s (Wilson) arm in air so you’ll get no complaints from me about it, but some of the lads said he didn’t touch it – I think you leave yourself open if you leave your arm up so maybe an injustice I don’t know. But Reidy’s come up trumps and bailed us out, which was no more than we deserved on the balance of play.”

And just to really prove that its wasn’t the Stones day, veteran defender Peter Hawkins was sent off in the closing minutes for a second yellow card for hauling down Joseph on the half way line.

In injury time Blackman was denied a second by yet another fantastic Turner save – this time the keeper used every inch of his frame to tip the Margate skippers brilliant chip over the bar.

For Turner to concede again would have been tough on the Stones keeper who was undoubtedly Man of the Match, but may have been a truer reflection on the enthralling 90 minute battle through the mud that the two sides served up.

Maidstone United: Jamie Turner, Nathan Paul, Jermaine Darlington, Shannon O’Donovan (Lyndon Rowland 46), Peter Hawkins, James Peacock (Tom Parkinson 67), Ant Bodle, Jay Saunders, James Pinnock, Danny Hockton (Gabriel Odunaike 70), Nick Barnes.
Subs: Dean Hernandez Bradshaw and Adam Harris.

Booked: James Peacock 41, Peter Hawkins 59

Sent Off: Peter Hawkins 81

Margate: Matt Reed, Aaron Lacey, John Keister, James Duncan, Sam Groombridge, Charlie Read, Wayne Wilson, Joe Healy, Lloyd Blackman, Anthony Joseph, Ben Clarke.
Subs: Luke Wheatley, Sam Cliff, Antonio Gonnella, Dan Stubbs, George Anderson

Booked: Ben Clarke 36, James Duncan 60, John Keister 78, Joe Healy 78

Goal :Lloyd Blackman 74

Attendance: 225
Referee: Mr C Phillips
Assistants: Mr L Crowhurst and Mr P Gorvatt