Baypoint (H) - 8th October 2023

By David Hansen

Cup action stays at Hartsdown Park for another week as the Margate Women begin their campaign in the League Cup against Baypoint on Sunday afternoon looking for their place in the next round.

Sunday sees the inaugural match between the two sides as they play in different leagues, with Margate playing in the SECWFL Premier division whilst our visitors play their league games in the SECWFL Kent division 1 east.

Last time out for Margate was the history making day in the FA Cup where they advanced to the 3rd qualifying round for the first time in their history, running out a 7-1 win against Bromleians last week to set up a tie against Millwall Lionesses on the 22nd of October.

It's been a difficult start for Baypoint in their league campaign as they’ve only picked up 1 point from their first 5 league games which came in a 4-4 draw against Sheppey United at the Baypoint Fitness & Sports Centre but last time out they were defeated 10-0 by Faversham Strike Force.

Team News:

There is a chance of a return to action for midfielder Harriet Chapman to full action as she was only named on the bench for the FA Cup win last week.

This game may come slightly early for a return to action for striker Paige Godden as she is still recovering from a broken toe.

The same story for midfielder Nicole Adams as she is still recovering from a foot injury and looks as if she may be unavailable.

There are no new injury concerns currently from the last game or from training this week and manager Steph Meek should have options from the bench.

Current Stats:

Most starting Appearances: Kemp, Niblett, Wood, Coltham-Lai, Kew-Stroud - (5)

Most Sub Appearances: Mann - (3)

Top Scorers: Godden, Kew-Stroud - (4)

Top Assister: Niblett - (6)

Supporters wanting access to the game can enter the ground by the gate next to the turnstiles with Admission being £2 for adults and £1 for Concessions.

Women Cruise Into League Cup 2nd Round

By David Hansen

Sunday afternoon saw another week of cup action at Hartsdown Park, as Margate Women ran out as 8-1 winners against Baypoint Ladies in the SECWFL League cup and will now face Tunbridge Wells Foresters at Hartsdown Park in the next round.

Margate started the game in perfect fashion as a wonderful free-kick from winger Abigail Greetham found the top corner to give the ‘Gate the lead in the 1st minute of the match.

A few good chances followed the goal as full-back Fleur Charman whipped in a good looking cross which Esme Kew-Stroud couldn’t latch onto, as well as Jemma Barton sending a ball through to Kew-Stroud only to find her shot hitting the side netting.

Margate would grab their 2nd only moments later as Jemma Barton’ lob over the keeper and found the back of the net to make it 2 inside 10 minutes.

Margate continued to dominate the game and grabbed their 3rd of the game as Fullback Abbey Duff put a good looking cross in from a free-kick which evaded everyone except Becca Slevin who managed to bundle the ball home after the keeper was unable to gather cleanly resulting in a 3rd.

Before the break Margate had several chances to extend their lead. Including a shot form Winger Rebecca Niblett which went wide and another chance for Kew-Stroud, but her shot was wide.

The whistle went to end the 1st half and the ‘Gate were in control and looked to have one foot in the next round, Baypoint needed to respond if they didn’t want the game to get away from them.

The 2nd half followed a similar trend to the 1st as Margate grabbed another goal, this time from a Greetham cross which was originally dealt with before Barton found the corner of the goal with a nice composed finish to make it 4-0 within 10 minutes of the restart.

Only minutes later and Margate had another goal this time from Harriet Chapman as a ball was whipped in from Sandra Nightingale following a short JJ Speller freekick and from just inside the area rifled a low shot which the keeper could only palm onto the post before finding the net to earn her first goal of the season making it 5.

Only 4 minutes later and Nightingale was causing the Baypoint side problems as she won back possession before putting in a deep cross to the back post where Niblett turned the ball home to grab her 1st of the afternoon to grab her 7th goal of the season.

Upon reaching the midway point of the 2nd half, Niblett would find herself getting onto a through ball and putting another brilliant cross in this time for Speller whose powerful shot was too much for the keeper who could only palm the ball into the goal making it 7 for the ‘Gate.

Baypoint wouldn’t leave Hartsdown Park without a goal, as they grabbed a consolation when a ball played through the Margate defence was received by Danielle Herlihy and she rounded Jasmine Wood to put the ball into the empty net to prevent a clean sheet on the day.

However, it would be Margate who would have the last laugh as Kew-Stroud' shot was blocked and fell to the substitute Charlotte Scales who looped the ball over the keeper from the edge of the box to compound Baypoint to an 8-1 defeat and give Margate a place in the 2nd round against Tunbridge Wells Foresters at Hartsdown Park.

Margate Women are next in action in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup where they will travel to play the Millwall Lionesses away from home for a place in the 1st round proper.

Starting Lineup:

Wood, Charman, Duff (Nightingale 65’), Kemp, Coltham-Lai, Slevin ©, Barton (Mann 81’), Chapman (Scales 74'), Kew-Stroud (Harrington 88'), Greetham (Speller 55’), Niblett

Goals:

Greetham x1

Barton x2

Slevin x1

Chapman x1

Niblett x1

Speller x1

Scales x1

Attendance:

69