'Gate Reach Semi-Final

Margate strolled into the last four of this seasons Velocity Trophy after comprehensively beating Carshalton Athletic 4-1 at Hartsdown Park, but despite the score-line, the Blues didn’t have it all their own way on Tuesday evening.

The hosts were able to welcome back Ben Bridle-Card between the sticks, but were again without Defenders Lewis Knight and Joe Anderson, as George Lamb took up his place in the back four.

With a resounding 4-1 win at full-time, you could have been forgiven for thinking that the visitors were heading to such a score-line in the opening 30 minutes as they continuously threatened the ‘Gate goal.

Tommy Bradford was the first to work Bridle-Card, before Dan Bennett unleashed an incredible 25-yard strike which hit the underside of the bar as the visitors set out for an early goal.

Dan Roberts was next to test Bridle-Card, but the recent Golden Gloves winner was able to get down and save the shot as Margate continued to be under pressure in the opening 30 minutes of the game. Margate had to wait until the 32nd minute for their first credible chance as Benas Vaivada looked to build upon his goal at the weekend, however his shot was comfortably saved by Lloyd Thomas in the Carshalton goal.

Whilst it seemed Margate were riding their luck in the opening half, it appeared to be confirmed in the 41st minute as they took the lead direct from a Ben Greenhalgh corner, which evaded everyone and nestled into the net to give the ‘Gate a surprising half-time lead.

If Margate rode their luck in the first half, it was a complete contrast in the second as they took the game to the visitors from the very first minute of the second 45. It took just four minutes of the second period for them to double their lead as Greenhalgh turned provider as he whipped in a great ball which was headed home by Ken Feyi.

Greenhalgh was once again showing his experience at this level, as he forced Thomas into another fine save from a curling free-kick which looked destined for the top corner.

The visitors restored some hope in the 65th minute as Luke Read bundled home a corner which had evaded everyone to give the travelling fans some hope, which was further extended when Roberts forced Bridle-Card into another low save.

Their hope only lasted a matter of three minutes though, as Margate seemed to have wrapped up the tie in the 68th minute as Sam Blackman met another Greenhalgh free-kick to make it 3-1.

Bennett tried to poke home a Joao Martins Barradas cross but got it wrong and fired over the bar, just moments before ‘Gate youngster Josh Oliver netted to put the game completely out of sight in the 85th minute, and secure Margate’s place in the last four of the Velocity Trophy.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Lamb, Odaudu, Prestedge (Agyemang 69’), Lema, Swift, Vaivada, Blackman (Nzinga 86’), Feyi (Bola 78’), Rutherford, Greenhalgh (Oliver 82’)

Subs not used: Kallmeier

Margate Goalscorer’s

Ben Greenhalgh 41’

Ken Feyi 49’

Sam Blackman 68’

Josh Oliver 85’

Margate Man of the Match

Fyn Rutherford

Attendance

238

More news