Margate exited the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday night despite a valiant display against Charlton Athletic U21s at Hartsdown Park.
Still battling a lengthy injury list that sidelined nearly a full starting XI, Manager Ben Greenhalgh was once again forced to name a youthful squad. U23’s standout Finn Saunders earned a starting place, while the bench featured several players from the U23’s and Academy setups.
The young ‘Gate side took time to find their rhythm as the visitors made a bright start. Charlton’s Henry Rylah tested Reece Hobbs early on, before the Addicks took the lead in the 16th minute — Rylah’s pace creating space for Emmanuel Sol-Loza, who turned smartly in the box and fired past Hobbs.
Charlton continued to press, with Hobbs twice denying Rylah and Ollie Hobden in quick succession. However, Margate grew into the contest as the first half progressed. Louie Atkins saw a fine header tipped over, and TT Walters was also denied by the visiting keeper.
Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when Max Walsh pounced on a loose ball 20 yards out and drilled a low strike into the bottom corner to level the score. Just five minutes later, Margate turned the game on its head — Jack Peters forcing the ball home from a corner to make it 2–1.
Charlton came out strongly after the restart, with Rylah again testing Hobbs from distance. Margate skipper Harrison Hatfull then came to the rescue with a superb goal-line clearance, before Hobbs denied substitute Patrick Casey to preserve the lead.
However, with 14 minutes remaining, a defensive mix-up gifted Sol-Loza his second of the night to draw Charlton level. Within 90 seconds, the visitors struck again — Casey converting a pinpoint cross to restore their advantage.
Margate pushed hard for a late equaliser, and a stoppage-time goalmouth scramble almost produced a dramatic finish, but Charlton held firm to book their place in the last eight.
Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for the youthful Margate side, who pushed a talented Charlton team all the way in front of an appreciative Hartsdown Park crowd.
Margate XI: Hobbs, Hatfull, Oke, Walsh, Walters (Osheyne 84’), Greenhalgh, Husthwaite, Peters (Isufi 83’), Young, Saunders, Atkins
Subs not used: White, Summers, Geddes, Woodgate
Goals: Walsh (33’), Peters (38’)
Attendance: 651
