'Gate Seal Cup Final Spot

Margate reached the Velocity Trophy final for the first time in their history as they overcome Haringey Borough 3-2 on Tuesday evening, in a thrilling Semi-Final.

The Blues were able to welcome back Joe Anderson from injury, but were still missing Lewis Knight through injury, Ben Swift through suspension and Louis Collins who was cup-tied.

It was Margate in their pink kit that set out the traps quickest with James Bessey-Saldanha looking lively early on and firing low crosses into the box to pressure the home back-line in the opening stages.

Margate continued on the front foot as Ben Greenhalgh swung in a delightful free-kick which was headed just wide by Sam Blackman. Margate thought they had the lead just before the 30-minute mark as the returning Joe Anderson seemed to fire them ahead, however an offside flag was raised and the goal was disallowed.

The hosts ended the first half with their best chance of the opening 45 as their goalscorer on Saturday Hassan Nalbent rose highest but saw his header cleared away.

If the first half lacked goals, the second half was anything but the same. Margate again started the brighter as Greenhalgh crossed to Ken Feyi who blazed over, before a goal mouth scramble ensued moments later as the ‘Gate hit the bar and then saw the ball cleared off the line three times before being punted away to safety.

Margate were in the ascendency and were awarded a penalty on the hour mark which the reliable as ever Greenhalgh tucked home to give the visitors the lead. The lead lasted just a matter of minutes though, as the hosts with their first serious chance saw Adam Morgan race onto a through ball before rounding Ben Bridle-Card, and tapping home to make it level once again.

The game was level for no more than five minutes as Margate retook the lead as Sam Blackman pounced to slot the ball home to restore Margate’s lead. For those that thought the action was finished, Haringey once again levelled just seven minutes later as Scott Mitchell peeled off at the back post to head home a corner to make it 2-2.

Benas Vaivada had only been introduced to the field of play three minutes before the equalising goal, however just two minutes later he would turn out to be the match winner as he latched onto a Sam Blackman through ball to smash the ball home to send the visiting fans into pandemonium.

After an incredible 18-minute spell with five goals scored, Margate would have hoped to see the last 12 minutes out with no worries, however Bridle-Card was forced into action from Morgan as the hosts threw everything at the ‘Gate back-line.

Bridle-Card again was forced into a save again from Morgan in the dying moments, however Margate held on and secured their place in the 2021/22 Velocity Trophy Final.

Margate will face Horsham in the final at the Parkside Stadium, home of Aveley FC on Wednesday 13th April 2022 with kick-off at 7:45pm.

MARGATE: Bridle-Card, Hatfull, Odaudu, Agyemang, Lema, Anderson (Nzinga 45’), Bessey-Saldanha (Vaivada 76’(, Blackman, Feyi, Bola, Greenhalgh

Subs not used: Kallmeier, Lamb, Rutherford

Margate Goalscorer’s

Ben Greenhalgh 61’ (Pen)

Sam Blackman 72’

Benas Vaivada 79’

Margate Man of the Match

Sam Blackman

Attendance

211

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