'Gate Lose Velocity Trophy Final

Margate missed out on the chance to lift their first League Cup in 24 years after they were beaten 4-0 by Horsham FC at ‘The Parkside’ Stadium on Tuesday evening.

On a difficult evening at the home of Aveley FC, Jay Saunders side never got going as they beaten by two goals in each half by their Sussex counterparts.

Saunders recalled Ben Bridle-Card in goal, Ben Swift, Sam Blackman and Ben Greenhalgh to the side after resting them in the 0-0 draw at Carshalton on Saturday.

Backed by hundreds of ‘Gate fans that made the journey from Hartsdown Park, the Blues never got going, despite an even opening 20 minutes where they forced the ‘Hornets’ back by forcing a couple of corners.

The game stayed goalless until the 22nd minute as Lee Harding cut inside the box before releasing a low shot into the bottom corner to give Horsham the lead.

The Blues seemed shocked to go behind and never found composure as Shamir Fenelon and Jack Brivio forced Bridle-Card into two quick saves, as Margate tried to avoid the game getting away from them in the opening 30 minutes.

Unfortunately for the ‘Gate that didn’t last long as Horsham doubled their lead in the 33rd minute as the Blues dithered in clearing the ball, allowing Brivio to smash the ball home and give Margate an uphill task from there on in.

James Bessey-Saldanha and Montel Agyemang forced two half chances before the break, however the ‘Gate went in at the break 2-0 down and with plenty of work to do in the second 45 minutes.

If the ‘Gate’s task was difficult at the break, it became even harder just four minutes into the second half as Brivio raced onto a ball into the box and headed home his second and Horsham’s third to effectively put the game to bed.

Things went from bad to worse just after the hour as Charlie Hester-Cook sent the ‘Hornets’ into dreamland as raced onto a through ball before keeping his composure and tapping the ball home to make it 4-0 to Horsham.

Margate created very few chances in the last twenty minutes of the game as the clock ticked down with Horsham knowing they had both hands on the trophy.

Benas Vaivada sent a shot goalwards, which flew over the bar, and Ken Feyi forced an effort wide, however a miserable evening was brought to an end and the Blues were left empty handed.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull (Lema 81’), Anderson, Agyemang, Knight, Swift, Bessey-Saldanha (Vaivada 54’), Blackman (Oduadu 78’), Feyi, Bola (Rutherford 87’(, Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Kallmeier

Attendance

809

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