Medway Park hosts international action

November

International table tennis came to Medway. Teenager Charlotte Bardsley shone on her senior debut to inspire England women to a 3-0 victory over Greece at Medway Park. But, in a double-header of European Championships Stage 1 matches, England men were 3-1 defeated by Serbia. In the FA Cup, Maidstone caused an upset, while Gillingham narrowly avoided one. Stones forgot their National League struggles to come from a goal down to knock League 2 Macclesfield out of the first round. United trailed to Ben Stephens’ opener after a poor first-half display but they stormed back after the break thanks to Jack Powell’s brilliant free-kick and a Blair Turgott penalty, winning £36,000 in prize money. Gills have had their fair share of knocks in the cup and National League Hartlepool almost joined the list of conquerors of Steve Lovell’s side. After a goalless draw at Priestfield, Carl Magnay and Paddy Mclaughlin left the Gills two goals down at the break in the replay. Max Ehmer pulled a goal back shortly after the restart but the Gills were seconds away from elimination before Tom Eaves’ stoppage-time penalty took the tie into extra-time. Luke O’neill and Elliott List put the Gills 4-2 in front but Hartlepool’s Tyrone O’neill struck with seven minutes left to ensure a tense finish. Lovell said: “I am just happy we are through. I’m delighted, because it’s a banana skin going to these places. “You are up against it, expected to win and sometimes it is hard but the boys showed so much character.” November also saw Gills open contract talks with top scorer Eaves, who is out of contract next summer. “There’s no way that any club will want to get rid of their top scorer,” said Lovell. “We want him to stay here for as long as he wants to.”