Determined Blues Progress To Semi-Final

Report by David Hansen

2024 is off to a perfect start for Margate Women as they beat Sittingbourne for the 2nd time in a row, and book a place in the semi-final.

Following on from the last game against the same opposition, Margate were brimming with confidence and started the game on the front foot. Esmee Kew-Stroud called the Sittingbourne keeper into early action with a nice cut inside and low shot which was well held.

The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute following a real onslaught from the ‘Gate. Harri Chapman found herself with acres of space on the edge of the box and hit a powerful effort past the keeper into the corner and gave Margate a well deserved lead.

The rest of the 1st half would continue in the same way with more Margate dominance but the team did not enjoy reward from their efforts. The closest Margate came to a 2nd was on the 38th minute when Chapman was involved again with a long range effort which beat the keeper but was denied by the inside of the post as the ball spun back across goal and narrowly missed the far post.

Sittingbourne came out of the break with greater intent as top scorer for the club, Sian Boswell got her 1st chance of the match. A long ball found her feet but the shot was well saved by stand in goalkeeper JJ Speller who performed really well in difficult conditions.

The early flurry of attacks from Sittingbourne were all in vein when Margate doubled their lead through the number 9 Paige Godden. Fleur Charman took on 2 Sittingbourne defenders, passing them with ease before cutting the ball back to Godden whose shot beat the keeper to give the ‘Gate a cushion.

Sittingbourne saw themselves get a goal back when a ball back to Speller took a horrible bobble and allowed Boswell to earn herself one of her more simple goals of the season and give the hosts some more hope in the game.

The game was put to bed 13 minutes from time when Captain, Becca Slevin managed to knock a perfectly timed ball through to Godden who’d avoided the offside trap well, and smashed a superb effort into the top left corner. The team saw out the closing minutes of the game and booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the SECWF Cup, drawing a home semi-Final against Parkwood Rangers on the near horizon.

Margate Women’s manager Steph Meek went on to say:

“The performance from the team today highlighted just how much improvement has been made through the first half of the season.”

“Sittingbourne have always been that team we struggle to pull results from, not because the team haven’t performed but because the cards haven’t fallen in our favour.”

Margate began their campaign back in September where they played out a 3-3 draw against Sittingbourne at The Roman Stadium in the SECWFL Premier Division.

An earlier pitch Inspection at the ground after heavy rain meant that the conditions for play were poor but Meek said how they were able to get the result even withstanding the conditions.

“The conditions were far from favourable, the pitch had an awful bobble and both teams were slipping all over the place, but we did what we could in the circumstances and were able to score some well worked goals.”

Meek said how she was overwhelmed by the growth of the team and how that has led to Margate advancing into the semi-finals of the league cup.

“It was a real joy to watch and I was overwhelmed with a sense of achievement as I have watched a team who have grown immensely secure a place in the semi-finals that they deserve.”

“With a home draw in the next round, we’ll be working hard on ensuring our best foot is put forward and we go into the fixture in the right way.”

Margate Women return to action on the 14th of January when they return to SECWFL Premier Division action where they take on London road at Hartsdown Park.

Line-up:

Speller, Charman, Slevin (c), Hyde, Chapman, Kemp, Godden, Luby, Duff, Coltham-Lai, Kew-Stroud.

Subs:

Harrington, Scales, Meek