Folkestone Invicta and Margate will meet again on Tuesday after their FA Cup first qualifying round match ended goalless at the Fullicks Stadium.
The hosts came into the game in good form having not lost since the 23rd of August, they had faced Erith And Belvedere in the previous round but were only able to get through after a replay. Neil Cugley made two changes to the side which won at Walton And Hersham in the league the previous week with young midfielder Jordan Wright taking the place of Charley Robertson, as well as this, Invicta’s new signing from Farnborough Joe Taylor made his first appearance to the expense of Dane Luchford who started on the bench.
In comparison, Margate had a great start to the season, after ten games they had one nine and were just two points off first place in the Ryman Premier League, they made three changes from their 2-1 win over Witham Town, Charlie Allen, John Beales and Luke Williams took the places of Tom Phipp, Jamie Stuart and Lewis Taylor.
Margate got the game underway and within one minute they nearly scored the opening goal, a misplaced pass from Folkestone’s Nat Blanks towards Tim Roberts was intercepted by Luke Williams who was able to get around the goalkeeper but his shot from a tight angle went wide.
The visitors continued to attack in the early stages of the game and Zac Attwood was looking dangerous, after some close control to get into the penalty area the striker was able to put a low cross towards his striker partner but the Folkestone defence were able to swipe the ball away from Ryan Moss and clear the danger.
Invicta came straight back though and after Darren Smith’s shot was deflected wide Jordan Wright’s through ball to Joe Taylor was nearly converted, but the ex-Sittingbourne and Farnborough attacker was put under pressure from Nikki Bull and his quick shot was easily saved.
After a short slow period of play Margate powered forward again and Attwood turned Jack Bennett’s cross towards goal but Tim Roberts did brilliantly to dive across to his right and tip the ball around the post.
Folkestone came back in additional time and had two opportunities to score as half time approached, at first Jon Pilbeam controlled the ball on the left wing before cutting inside and curling a brilliant shot inches wide of the goal, moments after Ian Draycott hit a hopeful cross towards the far post, Josh Vincent was able to win the header but his powerful effort was incredibly saved by Bull in the Margate goal to keep the game goalless at half time.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first, Margate were having plenty of chances but the hosts were able to keep the game level whilst also creating chances. Jack Bennet’s crosses from the left were still dangerous and early in the half he picked out Jason Prior who placed the ball to the onrushing Zac Attwood but the striker’s header from close range was put over.
The Gate were relentless when pushing forward and it took an amazing effort from Anthony Riviere to nearly give his team the lead, after receiving a cross- field pass on the corner of the area, the full back pushed forward and hit a powerful shot out of the reach of Nikki Bull but his effort went agonisingly wide.
Another cross from Bennet forced Ryan Moss to attempt an overhead kick which looped over Tim Roberts but Frankie Chappell was able to charge back to the goal line and dramatically force the ball away for a corner.
After Attwood sliced a left footed shot wide Folkestone had a chance to push forward on a counter attack, as the ball came out to Luchford he continued his powerful run before attempting a low pass into the path of Jon Pilbeam but Margate were able to clear the danger before Pilbeam had time to shoot.
With only fifteen minutes left Margate were left in disbelief after they had three god chances to score the opening goal, fter a driving run on the left wing Luke Williams played a pass back to Zac Attwood but the Striker hit his shot over from ten yards out, moments after, Attwod had another opportunity but he was unable to convert Ryan Moss’ cross as the ball rolled onto the post and was gathered by Roberts and within two minutes the target man’s glancing header from Anthony Riviere’s cross also went inches wide.
Folkestone had a chance to prevent a replay in the two allocated minutes of added time when Pilbeam was unable to win a header but did well to retain possession, he played a low cross towards the near post which was picked up by Luchford but the substitute’s small touch wasn’t enough as the ball agonisingly trickled wide, from the resulting goal kick Margate’s Jason Prior beat Invicta’s offside trap but Tim Roberts heroically slid at the midfielder’s feet to prevent a winning goal and to force a replay.
The replat will be held at Margate’s Hartsdown Park on Tuesday to find out who will progress to the second qualifying round when teams from the Conference North and South begin their journey in the world’s oldest knockout competition as well as £3,000 from the FA’s prize fund.
Folkestone Invicta: Roberts, Vincemt, Blanks, Friend, Chppell, Pilbeam, Wright, Smith, Draycott (Luchford), Taylor (Coyne), Everitt
Subs not used: Booth, Palmer, Fender
Booked: Friend
Margate FC: Bull, Riviere, Bennett, Allen, Wassmer, Beales, Williams, Willis (Phipp), Moss, Attwood, Moore (Prior)
Subs not used: Cash, Stuart, Beadle
Booked: None
Attendance: 565