Margate exited the Velocity Cup on Tuesday night following a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Sheppey United after a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Holm Park.
Manager Ben Greenhalgh used the fixture as an opportunity to rotate his squad, handing a start to goalkeeper Reece Hobbs, while Lewis Knight returned to the starting XI and Kieron Agbebi was given a chance to impress.
The Blues began brightly, with Blu Husthwaite breaking up a Sheppey attack before releasing Kai Garande down the left. Garande delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but Kane Haysman’s effort went narrowly wide.
Margate continued to apply early pressure, with a cleared corner falling to TT Walters, whose powerful 20-yard strike was brilliantly tipped wide by Sheppey ‘keeper Harry Brooks.
The hosts nearly took the lead on 10 minutes when a cross from the left evaded everyone and clipped the far post before bouncing to safety. Sheppey’s Billy Bennett was starting to make an impact and, on 15 minutes, went on a mazy run before dragging his shot just wide of the target.
Hobbs looked composed between the sticks, making a crucial stop in the 24th minute to deny Falande’s low drive and keep the game goalless.
Margate began to build momentum towards the end of the first half. Garande whipped in a dangerous ball that just eluded Haysman, who then did connect with a Max Walsh free-kick, but his header lacked the power to trouble Brooks.
In first-half stoppage time, some heroic defending from the Margate backline, particularly from Harry Hudson, prevented Sheppey from forcing the ball home and ensured the sides went in level at the break.
The second half started in ideal fashion for the Gate. Slick interplay down the right between Agbebi and Harrison Hatfull saw Hatfull deliver a low cross for Haysman, who calmly slotted home to give Margate the lead in the 48th minute.
However, the lead was short-lived. Just three minutes later, a cross from the right found Rolando Onu at the back post, and he made no mistake, smashing the ball home to bring Sheppey level.
Greenhalgh made a triple substitution midway through the half, introducing himself, Ibrahim Olutade, and Brandon Davey in an effort to push for a winner. Despite the positive impact, it was Sheppey who next came close, with Danny Leonard firing wide from distance.
Agbebi and Walters combined well to fashion a late chance for Margate, with the latter seeing his effort fly just over the bar.
With no further goals, the tie headed to a penalty shootout.
Sheppey converted their first spot-kick, while Olutade’s effort was saved. Former Margate defender Archie Johnson then doubled the hosts’ advantage. Margate responded with successful penalties from Hatfull, Greenhalgh, and Davey, while Hobbs made a crucial save to deny Sheppey’s fifth.
That left Harry Hudson needing to score to send the shootout to sudden death – and he duly delivered. Unfortunately, Walters saw his effort saved in the next round, handing Sheppey United a 5-4 win on penalties and a place in the next round.
Margate XI: Hobbs, Hatfull, Walsh, Knight, Hudson, Walters, Derry (Olutade 62’), Husthwaite (Davey 62’), Haysman (Greenhalgh 72’), Garande, Agbebi
Subs not used: Wray
Goals: Haysman (48’)
Attendance: 182
