Horsham (N) - 13th April 2022

Margate travel to ‘The Parkside’ Stadium tonight, home of Aveley FC to face Horsham in the final of the 2021/22 Velocity Trophy.

The ‘Gate have not won a League cup since the 1997/1998 season when they overcome Redditch United 2-1 on aggregate to lift the trophy. This will be the first time the Blues have competed in the Velocity Trophy final.

Manager Jay Saunders is likely to call back Ben Bridle-Card, Ben Swift, Ben Greenhalgh and Sam Blackman into the squad after they were rested in Saturday’s 0-0 draw away at Carshalton in the Isthmian Premier Division.

That draw for the ‘Gate brought a thankful end to their four game losing streak, and sets them up for a one off clash with their Sussex counterparts for a chance to lift some silverware for the first time since lifting the Isthmian Premier Division play-off trophy in May 2015.

Tonight’s opposition come into the game having won three of their last four games in all competitions, including a 3-0 win over Haringey Borough on Saturday.

Of course, we have already met twice this season in the Isthmian Premier Division with both sides picking up a win each. In November a 93rd minute goal for the Hornets earned them the three points, whilst back at Hartsdown Park in February, a 93rd minute strike from Lewis Knight earned Margate a 1-0 win.

So how have we got to this stage?

Both sides entered in the third round of the competition. Margate overcome a tricky South-East battle against Herne Bay at Hartsdown Park, winning 2-1, whilst Horsham were also beating a side from the Isthmian South-East division in Hythe Town 3-1.

Horsham cruised through Round four with a convincing 5-0 win over Corinthian Casuals, whilst Margate required another late effort from Lewis Knight to overcome Tooting & Mitcham at Hartsdown Park.

It was the Blues turn to run riot in the Quarter-Finals as they crushed Carshalton Athletic 4-1 at Hartsdown Park, meanwhile Horsham also had home advantage as they beat Isthmian South-East play-off chasers Haywards Heath 2-0.

The Semi-Finals again saw Horsham have home advantage as they demolished Isthmian Premier play-off hopefuls Folkestone Invicta 5-0, while Margate travelled to North London to beat Haringey Borough 3-2, just days after beating them at Hartsdown Park in the league.

This will be Horsham’s first game of the competition not at their own Camping World Community Stadium

Kick-off at ‘The Parkside’ Stadium is 7:45pm and tickets can only be purchased at the turnstiles.

Ticket prices are as follows:

Adults- £10

Students- £6

Concessions- £5

U16’s with a paying Adult- £1

Stadium Address

Parkside

Park Lane

Aveley

Essex

RM15 4PX

If you can’t make it tonight, then you can stay right up to date on our Twitter feed @margate_fc from 7pm.

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