Haringey Borough (A) - 22nd March 2022

Margate travel to North London on Tuesday evening to face Haringey Borough, as they look to reach the Velocity Trophy Final for the first time in their history.

The Blues have reached the Semi-Final after being drawn at home in all the rounds previous to now. The ‘Gate have overcome Herne Bay, Tooting & Mitcham and Carshalton to reach the last four.

Tonight’s opposition Haringey have reached the last four by beating Brightlingsea Regent and Cheshunt, having not entered until Round four.

These two sides met just three days ago in the Isthmian Premier Division, with the Blues coming out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Ken Feyi, Ben Greenhalgh and Benas Vaivada.

The last meeting between these two sides at Coles Park, the home of the Borough came earlier this season when the ‘Gate were denied a vital three points in the 94th minute as Andronicos Georgiou levelled just seconds after Greenhalgh had given the visitors the lead.

There is hope that Joe Anderson could feature tonight after missing the last month through injury, however Lewis Knight remains a doubt. Two players who definitely won’t feature are Captain Ben Swift, who serves the second of his three game ban after being sent off at Worthing, and Louis Collins who joined on Friday from Sevenoaks Town, but is cup-tied this evening.

The ‘Boro are in indifferent form, however at home they have only lost once in their last five games, and that was a 6-0 defeat to high flying Bishops Stortford.

Kick-off at Coles Park is 7:45pm, but as always for those that can’t make it you can stay right up to date at the clubs official Twitter feed @margate_fc from 7:30pm.

Stadium Address

Coles Park Stadium,

White Hart Ln,

London

N17 7JP

'Gate Seal Cup Final Spot

Margate reached the Velocity Trophy final for the first time in their history as they overcome Haringey Borough 3-2 on Tuesday evening, in a thrilling Semi-Final.

The Blues were able to welcome back Joe Anderson from injury, but were still missing Lewis Knight through injury, Ben Swift through suspension and Louis Collins who was cup-tied.

It was Margate in their pink kit that set out the traps quickest with James Bessey-Saldanha looking lively early on and firing low crosses into the box to pressure the home back-line in the opening stages.

Margate continued on the front foot as Ben Greenhalgh swung in a delightful free-kick which was headed just wide by Sam Blackman. Margate thought they had the lead just before the 30-minute mark as the returning Joe Anderson seemed to fire them ahead, however an offside flag was raised and the goal was disallowed.

The hosts ended the first half with their best chance of the opening 45 as their goalscorer on Saturday Hassan Nalbent rose highest but saw his header cleared away.

If the first half lacked goals, the second half was anything but the same. Margate again started the brighter as Greenhalgh crossed to Ken Feyi who blazed over, before a goal mouth scramble ensued moments later as the ‘Gate hit the bar and then saw the ball cleared off the line three times before being punted away to safety.

Margate were in the ascendency and were awarded a penalty on the hour mark which the reliable as ever Greenhalgh tucked home to give the visitors the lead. The lead lasted just a matter of minutes though, as the hosts with their first serious chance saw Adam Morgan race onto a through ball before rounding Ben Bridle-Card, and tapping home to make it level once again.

The game was level for no more than five minutes as Margate retook the lead as Sam Blackman pounced to slot the ball home to restore Margate’s lead. For those that thought the action was finished, Haringey once again levelled just seven minutes later as Scott Mitchell peeled off at the back post to head home a corner to make it 2-2.

Benas Vaivada had only been introduced to the field of play three minutes before the equalising goal, however just two minutes later he would turn out to be the match winner as he latched onto a Sam Blackman through ball to smash the ball home to send the visiting fans into pandemonium.

After an incredible 18-minute spell with five goals scored, Margate would have hoped to see the last 12 minutes out with no worries, however Bridle-Card was forced into action from Morgan as the hosts threw everything at the ‘Gate back-line.

Bridle-Card again was forced into a save again from Morgan in the dying moments, however Margate held on and secured their place in the 2021/22 Velocity Trophy Final.

Margate will face Horsham in the final at the Parkside Stadium, home of Aveley FC on Wednesday 13th April 2022 with kick-off at 7:45pm.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Odaudu, Agyemang, Lema, Anderson (Nzinga 45’), Bessey-Saldanha (Vaivada 76’(, Blackman, Feyi, Bola, Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Kallmeier, Lamb, Rutherford

Margate Goalscorer’s

Ben Greenhalgh 61’ (Pen)

Sam Blackman 72’

Benas Vaivada 79’

Margate Man of the Match

Sam Blackman

Attendance

211