Folkestone Invicta (H) - 16th September 2023
By Josh Cole
The ‘Gate are back in Emirates FA Cup action as we welcome Folkestone Invicta to HDP for a Kent Derby in the Second Qualifying Round on Saturday afternoon.
Last week we picked up three points against Potters Bar winning 2-1 in front of a 921 supporters at Hartsdown Park for Family Fun Day. Read the match report by clicking here.
Catch up with what manager Reece Prestedge had to say after the match by clicking here.
Margate have no new injuries ahead of the cup clash with Leo Mazzone still sie-lined.
Cup Journey So Far:
Folkestone were drawn against Hartley Witney away in the First Qualifying Round where they breezed through running away 4-0 winners with goals from Jordan Ababio (x2), Andre Coker and Ira Jackson. The ‘Gate had a tough draw away to Hendon but recorded a 3-2 win with goals from Sam Blackman, Fyn Rutherford and Steve Cawley. Catch up with the highlights from that game by clicking here.
The ’Gate and Invicta have already met this season on bank holiday Monday at the Alcaline Sadium where Folkestone were 2-0 winners at home, setting up this game at Hartsdown Park as a revenge game for the Blues!
The officials for this match are Joshua Langley-Feining (referee), Luke Morley (assistant referee), and Martyn Milligan (assistant referee).
Last Five: Folkestone Invicta
Draw vs Hashtag United away (0-0) League
Win vs Margate home (2-0) League
Win vs Hartley Witney away (0-4) Fa Cup First Qualifying Round
Win vs Lewes away (1-3) League
Loss vs Chatham Town home (0-5) Kent Senior Cup First Round
Last Five: Margate
Win vs Concord Rangers away (1-2) League
Loss vs Cheshunt home (1-2) League
Loss vs Folkstone Invicta away (2-0) League
Win vs Hendon away (2-3) FA Cup First Qualifying Round
Win vs Potters Bar home (2-1) League
You can buy your tickets for this match by clicking here or on the turnstiles from 1:30pm! Margate v Folkstone Invicta | The Emirates FA Cup | Margate FC Tickets
If you can’t make it to this match, head over to our official X account @margate_fc for live match updates from 2;15pm onwards!
Blues Earn Late Draw To Force Replay
By Dylan Smith
A cagey affair in the second qualifying round of the FA cup ends in a 2 – 2 draw. Two equalisers for the ‘Gate from Steve Cawley and Antonis Vasiliou, were enough the put the Blues in Monday’s draw.
The tie started with the away side on top, Margate were struggling in possession and couldn’t find a way to get the team up the pitch. With only three minutes played, the Seasiders took the lead, Ibrahim Olutade headed home after a cross from the right wing.
Despite going a goal down early on, Margate didn’t let their heads drop. Tyrone Sterling went very close to bringing the scoreline level, as his header from a Ben Greenhalgh free kick bounced off the crossbar and out of play.
As the half went on, there wasn’t much to shout about. A few tame efforts from either side were the best anyone could create, leaving the feisty affair with everything to play for going into the interval 1-0 to the visitors.
Margate came out the better side in the second half, keeping the ball ticking in Folkestone’s third. This led to Sam Blackman being brought down in the box. After a fierce appeal from the ‘Gate supporters the decision was no penalty.
Five minutes later, the Seasiders would face the consequences for their rough style of play. Ryan Khanye saw red after he fouled Harrison Hatfull just outside the box, giving him a second yellow and an early shower.
With a quarter of an hour left on the clock, the ‘Gate found their much-deserved equaliser. Substitute Vasiliou worked his way down the right flank, put in a brilliant ball to Cawley who headed goalwards, the keeper managed to palm the ball to the side, but it wouldn’t be enough to stop Cawley from adding to his FA cup account.
Without seeing much of the ball in the second half due to being down to ten men, the Seasiders had seemingly won the tie with a screamer in the 86th minute. Ira Jackson managed to turn his man and rifle the ball into the top right corner, making the game 2-1 and all but end the Blues potential cup run, despite being on the back foot for the majority of the second half.
Fortunately, the classic phrase ‘magic of the FA cup’ came into fruition again. With seven minutes of stoppage time, Margate were in desperate need of a hero, and they found him. The ball was bouncing all over the Folkestone penalty area after a bombardment of shots. It then fell to Vasiliou who had one attempt saved initially, but he would find the net the second time around, keeping the ‘Gate’s FA cup journey alive.
Furthermore, he nearly went from equalising the game, to winning it all as he had a golden chance in the 96th minute to clinch the tie. Sadly, he would put the ball just wide, meaning the game would finish 2-2.
The boys are ready to do it all over again on Tuesday evening in the replay at Folkestone.
Line-up
Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Sterling, Hudson, Blackman, Cawley, Roberts (Cham), Greenhalgh, Rutherford (Vasiliou), Duncanson
Goalscorer(s)
Cawley 74’
Vasiliou 94’
Attendance
692