Margate’s FA Cup dream is over for another year after they fell 2-1 to Forest Green Rovers in the Fourth Qualifying Round.
Before the game had even begun the odds were against Margate. Terry Brown’s side came into the game having won only one competitive home game all season, resulting in a troubling start to their first season back in the National League South where they sit in seventeenth. Despite this, the Gate had an impressive cup run to get to the final round of qualifying, having scored nine goals in their previous two FA Cup games this season.
Their task would not be easy, Forest Green Rovers came to Thanet as the top non-league team in the country, one point clear at the top of the National League Premier. Despite this, Rovers had lost both of their previous games leading up to their trip to the south east, conceding 5 goals in the process.
Terry Brown didn’t make any changes from his side’s 1-1 draw at Oxford City, meaning Ryan Moss was unable to make a return up front, leaving Danny Green and Freddie Ladapo up front.
Despite controlling the game early on, the visitors were unable to find a way through a firm Margate defence, Dale Bennett caused Margate issues down the right wing, but his crosses were dealt with fantastically.
The host’s first real opportunity came ten minutes into the game when a quick free kick in midfield allowed Danny Green a chance to put a cross into the area from the left wing, but after the Forest Green defence was unable to clear, Luke Moore’s powerful effort was deflected over before the resulting corner was cleared.
Bennett continued to provide chances from the right, with seventeen minutes gone he picked out Elliott Frear at the near post, but the attacker could only flick the ball into the hands of Nikki Bull. Moments after Bull was called into action again, this time to make a simple catch to prevent Kurtis Guthrie’s low header.
The hosts soon worked their way back into the game, but they were struggling to break down the side one division above them. Forest Green allowed very little space, forcing Margate to make quick decisions, allowing Rovers to quickly take the ball back and control possession yet again.
With only five minutes until half time the visitors took the lead. After some quick passing on the left wing the ball fell to Keanu Marsh- Brown’s feet, the attacker was given too much space by the Margate defence and curled a shot around a defender and out of the reach of Nikki Bull, giving his side a 1-0 lead as half time drew closer.
Margate started the second half very quickly, in the opening minutes of the half they piled pressure on Dale Eve’s goal, but were unable to properly test the goalkeeper.
The visitors soon turned the game around and forced the Margate defence into making some quick choices, a swift counter attack resulted in Elliott Frear’s cross being forced behind for a corner by Charlie Wassmer. Forest green continued to give little time for Margate to think, and it nearly resulting in a second when Danny green lost possession in midfield, allowing Kurtis Guthrie to pounce on the loose ball, but Nikki Bull quickly flew off his line to bravely deny the attacker.
The Gate soon came back in search of an equaliser, and they nearly got it when a long ball from Kane Wills found the run of Jamie Taylor, but Taylor could only watch as his sliced half volley flew wide.
After a quick free kick, Forest Green forced a fantastic save from Nikki Bull, Charlie Clough found himself on the end of a through ball and hit a volley which the goalkeeper did fantastically well to keep out.
Margate’s more positive second half was rewarded after 68 minutes when Luke Moore broke through thanks to a flick on by Ladapo the Forest Green defence before lobbing the ball over Dale Eve to equalise for the National League South side.
Hartsdown Park’s jubilation was short lived, however. As on their first attack after the goal Forest Green restored their lead. When a cross from the left wasn’t cleared, only for another pass in from the right side to be headed home by Kurtis Guthrie from close range.
Both teams went on to search for another goal, Green to confirm the win whilst Margate looked to find a way back into the game. Freddie Ladapo through he had a chance after a long ball fell to him on the edge of the area, but he was smothered by the goalkeeper. The visitors soon broke again and Nikki Bull could only watch as James Jennings hit a long range effort against the crossbar.
With time running out Margate looked to push forward, looking for a winner but their brave display wasn’t enough as their visitors went on to complete their win, meaning Margate’s FA Cup run is over for another year.
Their focus can now return to the league as they face the long trip to Truro next week before Whitehawk come to Hartsdown Park the week after.
Margate: Bull, Wilson, N Green, Hunt, Johnson, Wassmer, Wills, Moore (Rents), Ladapo, D Green, Taylor (Moss)
Subs not used: Taiwo, Jolley, Cash, Stuart
Forest Green Rovers: Eve, Bennett, Rancine, Clough, Jennings, Marsh- Brown, Sinclair, Wedgebury, Carter (Kelly), Guthrie, Frear (Bender)
Subs not used: Maxted, Baldwin, Stokes
Referee: Mr D Rock
Assistants: Mr J Burridge and Mr P Lister
Fourth official: Mr S Purkiss