ASCOT United have been handed a home draw against Margate in the 2nd qualifying round of the Isuzu FA Trophy. Having navigated their way through the Preliminary and First Qualifying Rounds, The Isthmian South East side – league rivals of Merstham – now stand in their way of a place in the third and final qualifying round.
The match will take place over the weekend of 20/21/22 September – also when Ascot’s tenants Berks County Sports entertain Brislington in the FA Vase and Ascot United Women are in home FA Cup action on the Sunday – so there is some logistical ‘stuff’ to attend to for respective club secretaries. Either way, it will be part of a six-game streak of matches at home for Jamie Tompkins and home comforts are certainly reaping recent reward.
Margate have proved something of a cup team this season. Having drawn all three of their league games and scored and conceded just two goals they haven’t exactly set the world alight as they seek an immediate return to step 3, but they thumped Hanworth Villa 5-0 away in the Trophy last weekend and are in FA Cup action at Bognor Regis this weekend having already seen off Loxwood and Hayes & Yeading.
Margate were a step 2 side as recently as 2016/17 before playing seven seasons at step 3, which ended last season with relegation to step 4 having finished in the final relegation berth (19th) out of 22 Premier Division teams.
But they still harbour a decent following; almost 800 watched their August Bank Holiday Monday derby with Herne Bay and they regularly attract gates exceeding 400 at home, and back in 2010/11 they travelled in numbers to Binfield for an FA Cup Tie – running out 3-0 winners at the-then Step 5 Moles – a 400-plus gate that date boosted by a sizeable following from Kent.
The Yellamen will look forward to welcoming Margate and their fans in 12 days’ time, and relish another home draw after 7 of 9 away matches on the road to Wembley in 2023!