One for the history books as Brakes march on in the Trophy
Wed, 07 Nov 2007 @ Hartsdown Park, Margate. vs Margate (1-0). FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Qualifying Round Replay. By D Hucker. From the outset, Brakes found it hard to create clear cut chances as Margate stepped up a gear on their performance at the New Windmill on Saturday. Charlie Side was booked for a foul on Marcus Jackson in only the second minute, as the hosts tried to impose themselves in a busy opening spell.
Ryan Peters, who is on an extended loan from Brentford, put in a good cross to Mark Watson, but Brakes captain Arron Parkinson was well placed to cut out the danger. Parkinson was again on hand with a timely tackle on Dean Standen, before Jackson sent in a cracking shot in the 15th minute that Margate keeper, Scott Chalmers-Stevens, just reached in the top corner and tipped over the bar. At the other end, Richard Morris showed that he was also equal to the task, making a point-blank save to deny the lively Peters.
Ben Mackey was being tightly marked, finding it difficult to get in his shots and the Brakes midfield duo of Stuart Herlihy and Liam Reynolds were also struggling to impose themselves. Reynolds went off injured on 30 minutes after landing awkwardly on his back and was eventually replaced by Craig Dutton.
In the 40th minute, Side sent a shot flashing across the goal before Watson found the side netting with a header sixty seconds later.
Just when it looked as if the half would end goalless, Josh Blake put Leamington ahead on 45 minutes after Chalmers-Stevens had failed to hold Arron Parkinsons header.
Brakes opened up well at the start of the second period and Mackeys fierce shot in the 53rd minute was well saved by the keeper. Margate should have equalised on the hour, but Watson blasted over with only Morris to beat.
A poor throw by Chalmers-Stevens was picked up by Man of the Match, Jackson who found Dunkley, but the Brakes strikers shot was blocked. Margate's final throw of the dice deep in stoppage time saw yet another good cross from the right by Peters, but Side sent his shot high over the bar.
After a hesitant start, backed by a vociferous group of fans who were a credit to the club, Brakes had gained in confidence as the match went on. With Margate in search of an equaliser, the forwards found more space and, whilst they couldnt add to Blake's single strike, the team ran out worthy winners to go through to the next round.
The only downsides were the injuries to Reynolds and Herlihy and it remains to be seen if they both make it to Saturday's match.
Manager Jason Cadden was delighted with the result, saying that was a good team performance and I am proud of every one of the players. We carried on where we left off on Saturday, playing some good football and deserving our win. We will now go to Fisher and treat the match as our cup final. We have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Margate
Scott Chalmers-Stevens, Ryan Peters, Louis Smith, Charlie Side, Dan Young, Jay Saunders (Robin Trott 61), Steve McKimm [Capt.], Dean Standen (Keiron Morris 85), Mark Watson (Nick Moir 62), Rob Haworth, Jimmy Jackson
Subs Not Used: Paul Axon, Matt Bowles
Brakes Richard Morris, Jamie Towers, Arron Parkinson [Capt.], Adam Cooper, Ryan Parisi, Stuart Herlihy (Martin Thompson 62), Liam Reynolds (Craig Dutton 44), Ben Mackey, Josh Blake, Russell Dunkley, Marcus Jackson.