Three Semi-Finalists confirmed- and not a hint of a giant killing

Pitching In Isthmian North relegation-battlers Barking, for all their League travails, had already slain Premier giants East Thurrock United and Enfield Town in the Velocity Trophy, as well as knocking out promotion-chasing Grays Athletic- but Folkestone Invicta proved a nut too tough to crack.

The Blues made Invicta work hard and delivered a scare, George Okoye giving them the lead just after half time, but the hosts drew level fifteen minutes from time through Alfie Paxman, and just four minutes later David Smith’s twenty third of the season saw his side through.

Pitching In South East promotion chasers Haywards Heath Town made the trip along the A272 and up a bit to face Horsham. Heath have had a tough draw, defeating promotion rivals Ramsgate and Ashford United and Premier title favourites Worthing to reach this stage, but goals just before and just after the break for the Hornets eased them through. Tom Kavanagh got the first, from the spot, and Lee Harding’s tenth of the season made sure, three minutes after the break.

We had an all-Premier clash as Margate welcomed Carshalton Athletic. Gate, on a six match unbeaten run in the league, defeated Herne Bay and Tooting & Mitcham United to reach this stage, whilst Athletic fought their way past Merstham and Corinthian.

When the two met in the league right back in August, neither could find a goal-but it seems that Margate had saved all of theirs for last night, as they fired home four. Ben Greenhalgh opened the scoring just before the break, and Ken Feyi made it two-nil just after it, before Luke Read got one back for the Robins. Sam Blackman quickly restored the two goal cushion, and then five minutes from time Josh Oliver made it four-one.

Image courtesy of Margate.

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