Margate crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup on a disappointing afternoon at Hartsdown Park on Saturday afternoon.
Margate welcomed back Olu Oluwatamilehin to the starting XI in place of Gibou Njie against Snodland Town, who had enjoyed a brilliant start to their SCEFL Premier Division campaign.
In truth, Margate were beaten inside a crazy opening 28 minutes as Snodland raced into a well deserved 3-0 lead and left Hartsdown Park stunned in the September sunshine.
Nathaniel Oluwole showed electric pace within three minutes to race past Finn O’Mara before curling a delightful effort past Harry Seaden to send the travelling Snodland fans into delirium.
Oluwole forced Seaden into another save moments later, before the visitors doubled their lead in the 15th minute as a free-kick into the box found former Margate defender Ben Fitchett completely unmarked to loop a header over Seaden and give the visitors complete control.
In the 26th minute Margate should have reduced the arrears as Albie O’Mara-Knapp raced through but saw his shot fall wide of the post.
2-0 became 3-0 in the 28th minute as Kian Scott poked home a third and effectively ended the Blues run in the FA Cup.
Margate huffed and puffed and saw another effort from O’Mara-Knapp well saved before Bradley Scahfer was superbly denied as Margate went in 3-0 down at the break.
Margate started the second half on the front foot earning consecutive corners but never really caused any danger as the visitors repelled anything the ‘Gate threw at them.
Just past the hour Javaun Splatt gave the home fans a glimmer of hope as he rifled a wonderful effort into the net, however it still meant the Blues had a lot to do with only 28 minutes left on the clock.
A few free-kicks 20-yards out didn’t bring the ‘Gate any joy as they saw several good chances pass them by, and they were almost caught out by a quick Snodland break away which saw O’Mara hack the ball off the line to deny the visitors a fourth.
More corners for the ‘Gate followed but there was to be no miracle as they exited the Emirates FA Cup at the 1st Qualifying Round.
Margate XI: Seaden, Thomas (McIntyre 33’), Adewoju (Caney-Bryan 87’), O’Mara-Knapp (Williams 45’), Splatt, Schafer, O’Mara, Dalton (Njie 79’), Wilkins, Sithole, Oluwatimilehin (Garande 21’)
Subs not used: Hall, Ossai
Attendance
504
