'Gate Progress On Penalties

Margate progressed into the Quarter-Finals of this seasons Kent Senior Cup on penalties, after a thrilling 2-2 draw in 90 minutes against Gillingham.

The Blues gave starts to youngsters George Lamb and Fyn Rutherford against a Gills side that included a mixture of fringe first team players, U18’s and Academy players.

The ‘Gate started on the front foot as Vance Bola and Rutherford called Gills ‘Keeper Tom Crump into early action. It was indeed the hosts who had a glorious chance to take the lead as Rutherford rounded Crump in the 24th minute only for Freddie Carter to get back and challenge Rutherford as he was about to put the ‘Gate ahead.

It was the hosts who continued to press forward as James Bessey-Saldanha forced his way into the box, before forcing Crump into another superb save.

It took Margate just six minutes to break the deadlock in the second half as Rutherford netted his first competitive goal for the ‘Gate as he stroked the ball into the far corner to give the hosts the lead.

Despite the Gills making changes in personnel and formation, it was the hosts who continued to defend resolutely, as well as catch the visitors on the break as Bessey-Saldanha danced his way forward, but saw his low drive deflected wide.

The visitors caught Margate out though a minute later, as substitute Ronald Sithole latched onto a Josh Chambers cross to level things up. Almost against the complete run of play, Margate found themselves behind in the 87th minute as promising Gills striker Charlie Kelman tapped home to give the visitors a late lead.

Margate were not to be undone though as they refused to give up, and they were rewarded in the dying moments as they were awarded a penalty, which Ben Greenhalgh coolly dispatched to send the tie to a penalty shoot-out.

In the shoot-out, Greenhalgh, Montel Agyemang, Bessey-Saldanha and Benas Vaivada scored for the Blues, whilst the Gills two goalscorers on the night, Sithole and Kelman missed their spot-kicks, as Margate progressed 4-3 on penalties.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Odaudu, Lamb, Knight (Agyemang 46’), Swift, Bessey-Saldanha, Blackman, Bola (Greenhalgh 69’), Rutherford, Vaivada

Subs not used: Kallmeier, Nzinga, Prestedge

Margate goalscorer’s

Fyn Rutherford 51’

Ben Greenhalgh 89’

Margate Man of the Match

James Bessey-Saldanha

Attendance

438

More news