Margate progressed into the 2nd Round of the GoCardless Kent Senior Cup with a hard fought 1-0 win over Whitstable Town at Hartsdown Park.
Manager Jamie Coyle made several changes as the Blues looked to bounce back from Saturday’s shock Emirates FA Cup defeat at home to Snodland Town.
Johan Caney-Bryan and Mal Belboda led the Margate front-line, whilst Connor Wilkins played in a centre-half position alongside Jake McIntyre who continued his return from injury.
Dual-registered Midfielder Ralfi Hand featured for the ‘Gate as the game started in particularly slow fashion with both sides having made so many changes.
The game had to wait until the 31st minute for its first shot on goal as a Whitstable effort flew harmlessly over Harry Seaden’s goal.
Margate’s first real effort didn’t arrive until the 40th minute as Hand saw a shot get deflected wide, before a Kai Garande’s cross looked to be looping in, however Zach Keeble clawed it away at the dying seconds to push it away for a Blues corner.
For as dull as the first half was, the second started in quick fashion as Margate took a 1-0 lead within 90 seconds of the restart.
Another good cross from Hand found Caney-Bryan at the back post who nodded home to give the ‘Gate a 1-0 lead.
Margate looked much brighter and almost doubled their advantage 10 minutes later as a Belboda cross fell to Caney-Bryan who put his effort inches wide.
Margate thought they should have had a penalty minutes later as a cross bounced up and hit a Whitstable defenders arm, however the referee adjudged it was accidental and play continued.
Substitute Bradley Schafer saw a long range effort superbly tipped wide just before Margate were almost caught out as a loose pass from Gibou Njie was collected by a Whitstable midfielder whose effort smacked off the post and away to safety.
Javaun Splatt had an opportunity to make it 2-0 in the closing minutes, however his effort was blocked as Margate saw out the final few minutes to secure a 1-0 win and progress into the 2nd round.
Margate XI: Seaden, Ossai, Njie (Sithole 80’), Hand, Belboda (Schafer 65’), O’Mara, Garande, Wilkins, McIntyre (Hatton 66’), Huke (Oluwatamilehin 85’), Caney-Bryan (Splatt 70’)
Margate Goalscorer
Johan Caney-Bryan 46’
Attendance
311
