Margate advanced into the 1st round of the FA Trophy with victory away at Southern League side Aylesbury United.

It was the home side who started the better and they looked more alert than their Isthmian Premier Division visitors. Max Hercules causing problems from the off and creating an early chance for Harry Jones which was deflected wide for a corner which didn’t come to much.

Aylesbury took the lead with 10 minutes on the clock. A powerful challenge by Anthony Ball in midfield allowed the ball to travel a long way forwards and find Matt Jones, he picked out Hercules wide on the left. The favour was duly returned and Jones stabbed home from close range at the near post.

This seemed to be a wake up call for Margate and they were level soon afterwards. A corner from the left hand side was met at the back post by Liam Friend, his knockdown found Noel Leighton he swivelled and picked out debutant Norman Wabo on the other post to give the former Dartford & Southend man a tap in to equalise.

The Gate restricted the hosts to long range efforts for the rest of the half. Although, Bailey Vose was at his best to deny Ben Seaton when he let rip from 25 yards, tipping the ball on to the bar and over for a corner.

HT 1-1

It took all of 2 minutes of the second period for Margate to take the lead in the tie for the first time. Norman Wabo picking the ball up forty yards from goal and running right through the middle of The Ducks defence, before applying a textbook finish beyond Jack Hopwood for 2-1.

Aylesbury again tested Vose in goal with Max Hercules pinpoint cross being met by Dave O’Connor to bring the best out of The Gate stopper with an acrobatic save that drew a well deserved round of applause.

The hosts were level with just over twenty minutes to play thanks to Harry Jones superb individual effort. Picking the ball up deep in his own half he strode forward and held off the attentions of Jay Porter before cutting back and unleashing an unstoppable drive across Vose and into the top corner from 25 yards.

Parity didn’t last long and after a set piece situation Liam Friend dummied his shot and played in Noel Leighton who showed quick thinking & quicker feet to lash home a 3rd goal for the visitors with just under a quarter of an hour to play.

Leighton doubled his tally and the lead 3 minutes after, a throw in on the near side touchline was worked to the former Millwall man, he cut inside and rifled past Hopwood at his near post and sealed Margate’s place in the 1st Round proper of the Trophy.

However, the margin of victory should have been even larger. Freddie Moncur swung in a cross during stoppage time which was deflected into the path of the Richard Afrane-Kesey. He volleyed wide from around 6 yards even totally unmarked.

FT 2-4

Margate were deserved victors in a great game of football, they just had a bit too much for their hosts going forward. They now advance in the Trophy but with the imminent lockdown who knows when this tie will be played.

Aylesbury: Hopwood, Jones (Akintunde 79), Bewley, Wood (C), Seaton, Riddick, Hercules, Jellis (Hogg 67) Ball (Gourgel Sequeira 79), O’Connor, Jenkins.

Subs Not Used: McNamara, Sangoya, Weatherill.

Scorers: Jones (10,70)

Bookings: None

Margate: Vose, Sessegnon, Porter, Prestedge, Friend, Swift (C), Afrane-Kesey, Burnett (Moncur 46), Wabo (Ufuah 82), Leighton, Richards (Bancroft 65)

Subs Not used: Coyle, Kallmeier, Hatton.

Scorers: Wabo (20,47) Leighton (76,79)

Bookings: Friend (73) Leighton (88)

Referee: Stuart Kyle

Attendance: 243