Blues Cruise Into Next Round of FA Cup

Report by David Hansen

The ‘Gate booked their place in the 3rd Qualifying round of the FA cup as they defeated Folkestone Invicta in a replay at the Alcaline Stadium on Tuesday night to set up a match in the next round away to Chesham United.

Margate started the game on the front foot and looked to continue from their second half performance on Saturday as Ben Greenhalgh put two dangerous looking crosses early but neither Tyrone Sterling nor Steve Cawley could turn the ball home, but Margate looked threatening early and up for the fight.

Folkestone had a few chances to get the ball into the box, but nothing came of their attacks and ultimately it was the ‘Gate who would get the goal and take a deserved lead as Greenhalgh put another cross in which ended up at the feet of defender Tyrone Sterling who smashed the ball home to get his first goal in a Margate shirt.

Margate had their tails up now as they continued to press forward and look for a second goal. It was Greenhalgh down the left again spraying another dangerous looking cross into the box but this time the ball was cut out by Folkestone goalkeeper Strizovic.

Moments later Greenhalgh was rewarded for his hard work as Fyn Rutherford turned inside and found Greenhalgh who got the ball out of his feet and smacked a fabulous 25-yard shot into the corner past the outstretched glove of Strizovic to give Margate a cushion and send the fans into raptures.

Margate would have one more big chance before the break as a long ball is sent by Archie Johnson and headed on by Cawley to Vasiliou who managed to find Greenhalgh in the box, but his shot was well saved by Strizovic to keep Folkestone alive in the replay.

After the resumption, Margate wanted to kill the game and they were able to grab a third as Cawley found plenty of space on the edge of the box and had time to compose himself before slotting the ball into the corner to make it 3-0 and give the ‘Gate breathing room in the match and continue their fantastic display from the first half.

Folkestone knew they had to do something to get back into the tie, so they pushed forward and committed bodies forward and managed to create some good chances. The first of which came from a long throw in which found Olutade at the back post, but his headed effort was cleared off the line by Harrison Hatfull.

Moments later Olutade got another big chance, as he was played through and took the ball past Harry Seaden and looked to roll the ball home, but Hatfull had brilliantly recovery pace as he slid to clear the ball off the line, yet again denying Folkestone a route back into the game.

With Folkestone now pushing higher, gaps started to appear and the ‘Gate looked to break and grab another as Greenhalgh slipped Cawley in down the wing and he advanced into the area before pulling the ball back to Rutherford but he could only fire his shot over the bar.

With only ten minutes left midfielder Daniel Duncanson won the ball back in the middle of the park and played the ball to Cawley who took his shot first time but fired over. Folkestone knew they were running out of time and needed to find a goal as soon as possible as they needed three in the last 10 minutes.

Folkestone did grab a late goal, as full back Penn put a good looking cross to the back post where substitute Ira Jackson was able to turn the ball into the net giving them some hope, but this goal would ultimately be a consolation as Margate held the ball well deep in the Folkestone half and after six added minutes the ref blew his whistle to send Margate into the 3rd Qualifying round of the FA cup where they will take on Chesham United away from home.

After Tuesday evenings success the ‘Gate will turn their intentions back to league action as they travel to Canvey Island and look to continue their 4-game unbeaten run.

Line-up:

Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Sterling, Hudson, Vasiliou (Sutcliffe 90’), Blackman ©, Cawley (Smith 83’), Greenhalgh, Rutherford, Duncanson

Unused Subs:

Roberts, Hobbs, Salmon, Cham

Goals:

Sterling x1

Greenhalgh x1

Cawley x1

Yellow Cards:

Johnson x1

Sterling x1

Hudson x1

Blackman x1

Greenhalghx1

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