Blues Cruise Into Next Round Of FA Cup

By Dylan Smith

The Blues cruise into the next round of the FA Cup, following a dominant 4-0 victory at Hartsdown park. Three goals from player/manager Ben Greenhalgh, which followed Lukas Franzen-Jones who opened his account for the club, was more than enough to sweep aside the Magpies.

With the sun shining, the Margate fans turned up, as the ‘Gate kicked off their FA Cup campaign. Margate started the stronger of the two sides, showing their quality early on without causing too much of a threat on the Loxwood goal.

Despite their dominance in the opening minutes of the match, the away side would officially have the first chance, following a counter attack, they managed to work the ball to the edge of the box. This led to an attacker having a go from distance, which flew over the bar, leaving the game goalless.

However, it wouldn’t be long before Margate would take the lead, with Franzen-Jones scoring his first of the season. The play was worked well down the left flank, the opposition keeper tried to rush out and claim the ball, but he couldn’t capture it, leaving the striker to have an empty net to tap into. A deserved lead at the ten minute mark.

The following 25 minutes of the game wouldn’t see much action at all, as the game was very stop-start. There seemingly was a stalemate in midfield, leaving neither side to be able to create any proper opportunities in front of goal.

Five minutes before half time, Jordon Ababio was sent through without a defender in sight, leaving him one on one with the Keeper. Loxwood defender Aaron Bogle chased the winger down and put in a terrible challenge into the back of Ababio’s ankle. This left the referee no choice but to send him off, leaving the visitors to play with ten.

Just before the interval, Ababio was brought down again, this time just inside the box giving the ‘Gate a big chance to make the game 2-0 going into the break. Greenhalgh stepped up calm and collected to smash the penalty into the top right corner, leaving the Blues in a very comfortable position prior to half time.

After the interval, Margate came out of the blocks on the front foot, looking to put the game to bed. Franzen-Jones would nearly have his second of the afternoon, but Greenhalgh’s cross just missed the end of the striker's foot, taking the ball wide of the post.

Just after the hour mark, the referee pointed to the spot again, following a brilliant Greenhalgh ball to Harvey Brand, he was left one-on-one with the keeper, which led to the midfielder being taken out. Unfortunately, Greenhalgh was unable to double his tally, as he slipped just before kicking the ball, leading to it flying over the crossbar.

Greenhalgh would make up for his mistake only a few minutes later. Brilliant transition play from defence to midfield ended with Ababio producing an audacious no-look pass to Greenhalgh, taking all the defenders out of the game in the process. All Greenhalgh had to do was roll the ball home, which he did remarkably beating the keeper with ease, as he placed the ball into the bottom corner. 3-0 and most likely game over.

Just to seal what had been a near perfect afternoon, Greenhalgh would grab his hat-trick in the last seconds of the match. Substitute Ross Craig beat the defender on the overlap, and Lewis Knight produced an excellent cross to the penalty spot, where Greenhalgh would fire his half volley into the bottom corner again, making the game a deserved and convincing 4-0 win. A player of the match performance from the manager.

Margate travel to Ashford on Friday evening, looking to grab their first win in the league.

Margate XI: Tom Wray, Harrison Hatfull (Ross Craig 45’), Harvey Brand (Gabriel Duo 75’), Harry Hudson, Jordan Ababio (Loui Hoxha 86’), Lukas Franzen-Jones, Ben Greenhalgh, Lewis Knight, Brandon Davey, Kai Garande, Fyn Rutherford (Vinnie Bowman 57’).

Margate Media Player of the Match: Ben Greenhalgh

Attendance: 342

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