Summary: Margate U23s
Maidstone United Under-23s have moved three points clear at the top of the SCEFL Development Eastern Division after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over second-placed Margate.
The win extends their incredible streak to 11 consecutive victories.
When the two sides met last October, Maidstone made a statement with a dominant 6-1 win. There was no repeat of that scoreline this time, as Margate proved well-drilled and organised in a cagey encounter.
The decisive moment came in the 24th minute when Delvane Kattah weaved his way into the box, beating multiple defenders before calmly slotting into the bottom corner.
The game took a dramatic turn less than 10 minutes later as Arlito Legisi was shown a red card for an off-the-ball incident, leaving Maidstone to play the final hour with 10 men.
Half-time allowed the Stones to regroup, and they showed resilience throughout the second half to secure a vital three points in the title race. The sides were levelled up during the second half, with a Margate player also seeing red.
The Under-23 management highlighted Mark Boruk for his tireless work up front, Junior Esaka for his defensive solidity, and Lucas Brookman for another outstanding goalkeeping display.
With 11 wins and four consecutive clean sheets, Maidstone remain in pole position after their first match of 2026.
If you haven’t seen this team in action yet, now’s the time. Your next opportunity is next Tuesday when the U23s take on Lordswood at the Gallagher Stadium. Kick-off is at 19:45.