Blues to progress to final qualifying round with win over Herne Bay

Margate overcome a resilient Herne Bay in the Third Qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup 2-0 at Hartsdown Park thanks to a second half Jordan Chiedozie brace. 

Manager Steve Watt rested Chris Sessegnon and moved Tom Wynter to right back allowing Ben Swift to take up his position at centre half.

Margate started slowly and were being contested by a young Herne Bay side who were quicker to every ball in the opening stages of the game. It was the visitors who created the first chance as Jack Steventon forced Lenny Pidgeley into a low save to deny the visitors an early lead. 

Margate struggled to find any consistency moving forward and failed to create any real chances. The Blues did break forward quickly finding Frannie Collin who seemed to round the keeper before being brought down only for the referee to adjudge Collin had dived and booked the Margate striker. 

The first half passed with not much more action except a 45th minute free kick to Herne Bay right on the edge of the box which was flashed harmlessly over the bar as both sides went into the break all level.

Margate started the second half much quicker and took the lead just seven minutes into the restart as Jordan Chiedozie slammed home an effort after seeing his first cannon back off the crossbar.

That goal inspired Margate and the 1009 strong crowd who saw the Blues double their lead in the 59th minute as Collin was released down the right before squaring the ball across the box to Chiedozie who was completely free to tap home from eight yards to make it 2-0 to the Blues.

Margate dominated from there on in and almost trebled their lead moments later as Dave Martin saw a header well blocked by the 6’7 goalkeeper.

Orlando Smith nearly joined the goal scoring party in the 79th minute as he went on a mazy run down the left before planting his effort bottom corner only for Hunter in the Herne Bay goal spectacularly turn it wide of the post.

Despite the visitors trying to get back into the game in the final minutes it was Margate again who forced Hunter into another fine save as Matt Bodkin saw his rising effort tipped wide of the post as Margate secured their place in Monday’s Emirates FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round.

Margate: Pidgeley, Wynter. Mills, Rogers, Friend (Sessegnon 45’), Swift, Smith (Bodkin 89’), Prescott, Chiedozie, Collin, Martin (Stannard 66’)

Subs Not Used: Lee, Brown, Bray, Crabbe

Attendance: 1,009

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