Blues Progress In Emirates FA Cup

Margate produced a fine second half display as they fought from 1-0 down to beat Hendon 3-2 and book themselves in Monday afternoon’s Emirates FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round draw.

Manager Reece Prestedge made just one change from the 2-0 defeat at Folkestone on Bank Holiday Monday as Leo Mazzone took the place of Daniel Duncanson in midfield.

The hosts started very much on the front foot as the ‘Gate backline repelled several early corners in the opening 15 minutes at Silver Jubilee Park, on a glorious sunny afternoon in North London.

Despite their resilience, Margate were beaten in the 20th minute as Hendon broke quickly on the Blues as the ball found its way to Hamza Semakula who calmly slid the ball past Harry Seaden to give the ‘Dons a 1-0 advantage.

With their goal advantage, Hendon looked lively as they saw opportunities come and go from Shaun Lucien and Niko Muir as they looked to stretch their advantage. The one change that Prestedge had made for this game was then force off with injury as Mazzone was replace by Duncanson in the 24th minute.

Margate seemed to kick into life in the 35th minute as Phil Roberts looked to force the Blues back into the game with a solo run and strike which went wide for the ‘Gate, however they were buoyed by their first real chance.

Despite being 1-0 down, Margate could count themselves unlucky not to be going in at half-time 2-1 up as Hendon keeper Matt Kerbey pulled out two incredible saves in the space of two minutes as he firstly denied Ben Greenhalgh a wonder strike, before moments later denying Sam Blackman a glancing header from the resulting corner.

Hendon started the second half looking threatening as Lucien again tested the reflexes of Seaden who denied the home side a commanding lead.

They weren’t to know at the time, but the introduction of Fyn Rutherford on the hour mark was about to turn this cup tie on its head. Margate were level in the 63rd minute as a Greenhalgh corner was headed onto the bar by Harry Hudson, before the ball fell to Blackman who bundled it home to get the scores level.

Three minutes later and the ‘Gate were in front as a wonderful ball from Greenhalgh was ran onto by Rutherford who expertly lofted it over Kerby to put the Blues ahead with two goals in three minutes.

It was to get even better for Margate as in the 70th minute Greenhalgh again played a precise pass to Steve Cawley who controlled the ball before calmly rolling the ball home to extend the ‘Gate’s lead to 3-1 within seven minutes of levelling.

There was no way that Hendon would simply roll over and with 14 minutes left on the clock, the hosts had reduced the arrears to one as Niko Muir found time and space in the box to turn and fire home to set up a grand finale in North London.

Despite a flurry of attacks, Hendon were unable to spoil the Margate party as the Blues held firm to navigate their way into the hat for the 2nd Qualifying Round draw, where National League South sides will enter the competition.

MARGATE Xl: Seaden, Hatfull, Johnson, Sterling, Hudson, Vasiliou (Rutherford 60’), Blackman, Cawley, Roberts (Cham 88’), Greenhalgh, Mazzone (Duncanson 24’)

Subs not used: Hobbs, Salmon, Sutcliffe, Smith

Goalscorer(s)

Sam Blackman 63’

Fyn Rutherford 66’

Steve Cawley 70’

Attendance

263

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