Blues Out of Trophy After Bath Penalty Loss

Margate were cruelly dumped out of the Buildbase FA Trophy as they were beaten by Bath City on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw after extra-time at Hartsdown Park.

The Blues prolonged Trophy campaign was held up even further as a traffic incident on the M2 saw the kick off delayed until 8:20pm.

The crowd that were waiting weren’t to be left disappointed as an enthralling 120 minutes of football followed. The ‘Gate were rewarded with a quick start as David Martins long range effort crept under the visitors keeper from 25 yards.

The Blues saw several more chances superbly saved by the Bath keeper with Jordan Chiedozie seeing his one on one chance well saved. The Gate had a further chance as half time approached at Liam Friend saw his header at the back post go agonisingly wide as the Gate went in 1-0 up.

Two goals in 17 second half minutes from Jack Compton saw the National League South side in front in a topsy-turvy encounter. Frannie Collin saw two half chances fly just wide of the post as they pushed for an equaliser that would have taken the tie to extra-time.

The Gate got their equaliser that they richly deserved in the 79th minute as Lee Prescott unleashed a superb volley as a corner was cleared only for Prescott to hammer home to draw the game level.

With ten minutes left and both sides getting tired, Margate turned on the style and spent the last ten minutes peppering the Bath goal with the visitors keeper making two fantastic saves before Jay May rattled the cross bar in the last minute.

The start of extra-time saw the visitors rattle the Blues cross bar as Bath looked to get back in front against the run of play. The second half of extra-time saw Margate hit the cross bar again as Liam Enver-Marum teed up Collin who fired a fierce effort that crashed off the bar.

The final chance of extra-time came as Bath saw a low shot well saved by Patrick Lee as the tie headed to penalties.

It wasn’t to be Margate’s night though as Frannie Collin and Ben Swift missed their spot kicks as Bath progressed 5-4 on penalties.

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