Margate were denied passage into the Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round after conceding a dramatic late equaliser at Cobham, forcing a replay at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday evening.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh made just one change from Tuesday’s defeat at Sittingbourne, with Harrison Hatfull returning to the starting XI in place of Emmanuel Oke, who dropped to the bench.
The opening stages saw little in the way of clear chances, the hosts going closest with a speculative 25-yard effort that sailed harmlessly over. Cobham, however, looked the brighter in the first half-hour, squandering two further opportunities as Margate struggled to settle.
The Blues finally found their rhythm on the half-hour mark through the left-hand side, with TT Walters and Kai Garande combining well before feeding Ibrahim Olutade, whose return pass set up Walters – though his shot was superbly blocked. Moments later, the breakthrough arrived. Walters drove at the Cobham defence and cut the ball back for Olutade to slot home in the 41st minute, giving Margate a 1–0 lead at the break.
Margate started the second half strongly, almost doubling their advantage when Sam Blackman’s strike from a long throw was tipped onto the bar by the Cobham goalkeeper. That near miss proved costly, as Cobham equalised in the 63rd minute when Charles Nicholson converted from a corner.
The momentum shifted, with Tom Wray called into action on several occasions to keep Margate level. Against the run of play, the visitors regained the lead in the 76th minute when Olutade’s teasing cross found Walters, who tapped in to make it 2–1.
The Blues thought they had sealed victory shortly after when Blackman finished at the back post, only to be denied by the offside flag. Cobham kept pushing and, deep into stoppage time, substitute Louis Toussaint bundled home to spark jubilant celebrations from the home supporters.
There was still time for more drama as Cobham nearly snatched a winner. A fierce 25-yard strike in the 96th minute was destined for the top corner, but Wray produced a stunning fingertip save to ensure Margate remained in the competition.
The tie will now be decided in a replay at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night (7:45pm kick-off).
Margate XI: Wray, Hatfull, Knight (Oke 74’), Hudson, Walters (Agbebi 84’), Blackman, Olutade, Derry (Walsh 76’), Greenhalgh
Subs not used: Hobbs, Saunders, Wells, Husthwaite
Goals:
- Olutade 41’
- Walters 76’
