Margate bowed out of the FA Trophy on Friday evening after a disappointing 3-0 loss away at Ascot United in the First Qualifying Round.
Manager Jamie Coyle made some changes as Connor Wilkins missed out through injury, whilst Javaun Splatt started on the bench as the ‘Gate looked to rotate the squad ahead of the bank holiday weekend double header.
It was a relatively positive opening five minutes for the Blues as a corner was headed narrowly over, whilst they were retaining possession well.
In the 7th minute though out of the blue, the hosts took the lead with a fine strike as an Ascot player raced forward before curling a delightful effort past Harry Seaden to make it 1-0.
The game remained pretty even with neither side creating much until the 31st minute as an Ascot strike took a slight deflection past Seaden to make it 2-0 and give the ‘Gate an uphill struggle to stay in the competition.
Any hopes of a comeback were killed off in the 43nd minute as another shot deflected past Seaden to condemn Margate to a 3-0 deficit at half-time.
Coyle made some changes at the break as Splatt and Albie O’Mara-Knapp were introduced, and despite a more positive start, it was going to need something incredible to get back in the game.
The ball was in the net in the 58th minute as a low drive was piledriven in, however the referee had already awarded the Blues a free-kick for a late challenge on Oghosa Williams.
A header from Finn O’Mara dropped inches wide of the post, before Splatt saw an effort with his head go over as Margate at least showed some fight to try and reduce the arrears.
Bradley Schafer worked some space in the box but instead tried to round the keeper rather than just forcing an effort as Margate exited the competition at the first hurdle.
Margate XI: Seaden, Njie, Thomas, Adewoju, Schafer, Brooke (O’Mara – Knapp 45’), Williams (Belboda 66’), O’Mara, Dalton, Garande (Splatt 45′), Sithole (Ossai 61’)
Subs not used: McIntyre
Attendance
179
