Penalty thriller
Grays’ FA Cup replay against Conference Margate was another cliff-hanger which went into extra time and penalties.
Keeper Mel Capleton was Grays’ hero of the day, saving three of four Margate penalties – including a retake – to secure Grays’ progress into the FA Cup First Round and a chance at former Football League side Aldershot on November 8.
The replay against Margate was played at Ashford Town’s ground just off the M20 because Margate’s stadium rebuild.
The match was a nerve-shredder with Grays twice taking the advantage before throwing away leads in both normal and extra time.
Manager Mark Stimson’s boys like to play entertaining football – but they crossed the line into heart attack territory on Tuesday.
The match started well for the visitors who went ahead with a Stuart Thurgood goal in the 23rd minute.
Grays dominated for the rest of the half and, although pushed hard by Margate, looked to be strong with ten minutes left. The came the body blow.
In the 85th minute Grays were adjudged to have fouled just outside their area and Jay Saunders headed in from the Terry McFlynn kick.
Despite the setback Grays raised their game for extra time and were rewarded by superb goals from Thurgood and a brilliant individual effort Freddy Eastwood who had menaced all night.
With Grays 3-1 up and just six minutes of extra time left, visiting fans finally began to relax. But never-say-die Margate threw everyone forward and first Jake Leberl and then – with under two minutes remaining – Darren Annon scored to make it 3-3 again…after a total of 219 minutes of FA Cup play.
It was then that Capleton changed the course of Grays’ history. He was on the Margate penalties in a flash – saving three of the four strikes while Eastwood, Thurgood and Robinson gave nervous White no chance.
Margate supporters were stunned and visiting Grays were finally able to rejoice that the ‘injustice’ of Saturday’s late goals had been righted.
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the match report
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