Dulwich Defeat Blues In FA Cup

Margate exited the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday afternoon as they were beaten 2-1 by National League South side Dulwich Hamlet.

Manager Andy Drury was forced to omit on loan Cameron Brodie (unavailable), Montrell Deslandes (Suspended) and Fjord Rogers (Cup tied) as he named Harvey Smith up top as he looked to cause an early FA Cup upset.

The Blues were up against it from minute one as newly appointed Dulwich Hamlet interim coach Paul Barnes saw his reinvigorated side start strongly with Danny Mills seeing a fierce low shot tipped fantastically wide by Amadou Tangara.

In a slow start for both sides with no other real chances, the game was turned upside down for the hosts on the 30-minute mark as Krasniqi was shown a straight red for abusive language, leaving Margate with a numerical advantage. Despite the man advantage, the Blues were struggling to deal with the threat of Mills and George Porter and it was the hosts that took the lead in the 41st minute as Mills flicked the ball through to Porter to make 1-0 to the hosts at half-time.

Despite the disappointing first half and lack of chances, Margate started the second half on the front foot and raced out the blocks and showed more attacking intent than they had in the opening 45 minutes.

The ‘Gate were level within seven minutes of the second half as Bessey-Saldanha raced down the left wing before delivering a pin point cross for Smith who headed home his second FA Cup goal of the campaign to make it 1-1.

The Blues were in the ascendency and almost took the lead ten minutes later as Ben Greenhalgh delivered a beautiful cross which Bessy-Saldanha got a foot to, but couldn’t convert past Charlie Grainger in the home goal.

The hosts were at this point offering little going forward and Margate seemed most likely to leave with a place in the next round, however they were dealt a sucker punch in the 74th minute as the hosts won a rare corner which Mills, with an obvious height advantage nodded home to restore the home sides lead.

With the clock ticking down, Margate threw caution to the wind and threw everything at Dulwich Hamlet, leaving them open to a counter attack, which Tangara seemed to be standing up to each time as Margate pushed for the leveller.

The Blues thought they had earned a replay in the dying seconds as Harry Hudson rose highest at the back post in stoppage time, only for Grainger to make an incredible save to deny Hudson and Margate of the replay they deserved.

MARGATE: Tangara, Hatfull, Hudson, Cole, Blackman, McCann )Howard 78’), Greenhalgh, Barton, Ojemen, Smith, Bessey-Saldanha

Subs not used: Fisher, Knight, Kallmeier, Harvey, Adams

Margate Goalscorer

Harvey Smith 52’

Margate Man of the Match

James Bessey-Saldanha

Attendance

1725

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