Margate v Corinthian Casuals
Margate welcome high flying Bostik South side Corinthian Casuals to Hartsdown Park tonight (Tuesday) in the Velocity Trophy Second Round.
Manager Steve Watt is likely to use a mixture of first team players and Development team players as they look to reach the third round of the competition and also end an unwanted run of no win in all competitions for five games.
Saturday’s last minute 93rd minute equaliser from Harlow Town meant the Blues remained without a win in October, however they remained 14th in the Bostik Premier table.
Margate are likely to give further game time to Patrick Lee and youngster Henry Ikeije tonight but striker Jay May could start as he continues to return from injury after scoring the Blues goal on Saturday.
Corinthian Casuals travel to the South Coast looking for a third straight win in all competitions after they rose to 4th in the Bostik South on Saturday with a fine win over Hastings United.
Last season’s beaten playoff contenders will expect to be challenging for a top five finish again this season and they will provide the ‘Gate with a tough test.
Tonight’s fixture is being dedicated to our fantastic Youth Section for their support this season so far and our U8’s will be our guests as Matchday Sponsors whilst our U12 Girls side will walk out with the Margate side before kick-off.
Kick off at Hartsdown Park is 7:45pm but as always if you can’t be here then you can stay right up to date on the clubs official Twitter feed @margate_fc from 7:15pm.
Supporters should also note that Season Tickets do not cover this evening’s game and all supporters should pay the necessary price at the turnstiles which open from 6:30pm.
Ticket Prices
Adults £10
Concession £8
11-17 £5
Under 11 FREE (With a paying adult)
Casuals Down Gate In Shoot-Out
Margate were knocked out of this seasons Velocity Trophy in the cruellest of fashions at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night as they were beaten 5-3 on penalties by Corinthian Casuals after conceding a 90th minute equaliser in the match.
?Margate were dealt a major setback in the warm up as goalkeeper for the night Patrick Lee injured his knee in the warm up and with no back up goalkeeper it was down to centre half Tom Wynter to take his place between the sticks, meaning Development player Jack Bray was marshalled into the back four just 20 minutes before kick-off.
The hosts started on the back foot and had Wynter to thank for still being level after five minutes as Odunaike ran through for the visitors before seeing his tame effort collected by the stand in number one.
The Blues took the lead in the 9th minute of the match with their first corner as young Bray rose highest to head home his first goal for the club and give the ‘Gate the lead in front of an impressive 253 at Hartsdown Park.
The hosts were looking to extend that lead quickly as both Orlando Smith and Harry Stannard forced Corinthians goalkeeper Danny Bracken into two very good saves before the visitors got themselves level in the 22nd minute.
Pacey Winger Jordan Clarke went on a mazy run down the left before cutting in on his right foot and unleashing a fierce effort into the bottom far corner to leave Wynter no chance.
Stannard, Jack Evans and Lee Prescott all had half chances comfortably saved by Bracken as both sides went in at the break all level.
It was the visitors who would start the second half stronger as Max Oldham rifled an effort Wynter’s way before the hosts started to take a firm grip on the game with an impressive 20 minute spell which should have seen them put this game to bed.
Goalscorer Bray saw another header well blocked before Stannard, Evans and Prescott all saw good chances go by the wayside as the game entered its final 10 minutes. The Blues were to get the goal they deserved in the 81st minute as Matt Bodkin raced down the right before driving a low effort past Bracken to seemingly put the Blues in the third round.
The visitors had other ideas though and after Smith saw his header ruled out for offside the visitors raced down the other end and equalised through Jack Strange who rose highest to head home from a corner to send the tie to penalties.
Both teams scored their first penalty however Lee Prescott skied his well over the bar and with Corinthian taking all their chances it was the Blues who exited after a 5-3 penalty defeat.
MARGATE: Wynter, Killick, Mills, Evans, Bray, Swift, Bodkin, Prescott, Ikeije (Rogers 58’) Smith, Stannard
Subs Not Used: Warden, Rudd, Ford
Attendance: 253