'Gate Exit FA Trophy

Margate suffered another cup exit on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0 by Billericay Town in the Isuzu FA Trophy at the New Lodge.

Manager Andy Drury gave a debut in goal to new goalkeeper Dan Jinadu, whilst Taylor Fisher returned to the bench after a month on the side-lines with an ankle injury.

It was the hosts that started quicker as Margate looked to soak up any early Billericay pressure with Jinadu making an early excellent save to keep the scores at 0-0.

It took the ‘Gate 15 minutes but they soon forced two quick saves from the ‘Ricay keeper as Greenhalgh saw two efforts go close as Margate built their way into the game.

Both sides continued to try and force a goal with both sides earning several corners that seemed to come to nothing as the game remained level approaching half-time.

Despite both sides forcing corners, it was the hosts that took the lead in the 37th minute as Jeffery broke the offside trap and saw his effort cannon back off the bar to the feet of Alfie Cerulli to stab home and give the hosts a half-time lead.

Margate knew they had to respond quickly in the second half, however they didn’t start that way as it was the hosts that created the first the chance of the second half as Dickson saw an effort saved, before then seeing an effort ruled out for offside as the hosts continued to push.

Margate’s most likely source of a goal was down the right as Freddy Barton raced forward before finding Ade Cole whose cross found Henry but his header went harmlessly over the bar,

The ‘Gate were pushing for an equaliser as the clock ticked down with Greenhalgh firing high and wide. The ‘Gate were dealt a major blow with nine minutes left as Cerulli took the ball and curled an unstoppable effort past Jinadu to make it 2-0.

There was to be no comeback for the Blues as they exited the competition and now turn attention to the League.

MARGATE: Jinadu, Hatfull (Deslandes 57’), Knight, Hudson, Cole, Blackman, Bessey-Saldanha (Dsane 81’), Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen (Fisher 69’), Henry

Subs not used: Rogers, Marsh, McCarthy, Sutcliffe

Attendance

491

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