Knight In Shining Armour

Margate progressed through to the Quarter-Finals of this seasons Velocity Trophy on Tuesday evening as they overcome Tooting & Mitcham 2-1 at Hartsdown Park.

Margate gave a debut to on-loan Sam Odaudu as well as welcoming back striker Ken Feyi as he continues his recovery from injury.

It was the returning striker who almost latched onto an early through ball as the ‘Gate raced out the traps looking for an early goal. Feyi looked lively upon his return to the team, and he saw a header go narrowly over from a pinpoint Ben Greenhalgh cross moments later as the hosts continued to push forward.

The Blues didn’t have to wait much longer for the opener as their early pressure paid off in the 21st minute as some great team play from Feyi, Vance Bola and James Bessey-Saldanha saw the latter calmly slot the ball home to give the ‘Gate the lead.

The visitors didn’t look to threaten Margate goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card in the first half as the hosts went in search of a fifth clean sheet, however the 25-year-old was called into action just minutes after Margate had gone in front, as Tooting & Mitcham striker Afriyie Offei Gyimaha stung the hands of the home keeper.

Bessey-Saldanha looked to add to his tally after the break as his fierce shot was palmed away, as Margate looked to put the game to bed early in the second half.

The Blues were to concede for the first time in over 400 minutes of football in the 62nd minute as Billy Brown raced down the right hand side to cross into Zaid Ouaret Sorr who tapped home, having only just entered the field of play.

The hosts were not to be dishevelled by the equaliser though and they immediately went back with a half chance from Joseph Gbode, however the game looked like it was slowly heading towards a nerve jangling penalty shoot-out as the ‘Gate couldn’t break down a resolute Tooting & Mitcham back-line.

However, just like against Horsham recently, the Blues fans had Defender Lewis Knight to thank for earning them the win as he calmly took down a Greenhalgh free-kick before slotting past Ollie Pain with four minutes remaining, to send the ‘Gate through to the last eight of the Velocity Trophy.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Odaudu (Lamb 75’), Agyemang (Nzinga 46’), Knight, Swift, Bessey-Saldanha, Vaivada, Feyi (Gbode 59’), Bola (Rutherford 69’), Greenhalgh

Unused subs: Kallmeier

Margate goal scorer’s

James Bessey-Saldanha 21’

Lewis Knight 86’

Margate Man of the Match

Lewis Knight

Attendance

160

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