Sevenoaks Town (A) - 4th February 2024

By David Hansen

Margate Women make the 57-mile trip on Sunday afternoon to face Sevenoaks Town Ladies at the Greatness Recreation Ground in their latest League fixture!

Last weekend, Margate FC Women were beaten by Tunbridge Wells Foresters, halting a five game winning streak as the visitors took a 4-1 win at Hartsdown Park.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, it was a enthralling 4-4 draw. Goals from Katy Hyde, Rebecca Niblett and Abbie Luby helped the Margate side earn a well deserved point against one of their closest competitors in the league.

Margate will be without Esmee Kew-Stroud this week, as she picked up her 5th yellow card of the season in the last match, meaning she will serve a one-match ban.

Looking at previous clashes of these two sides, full time usually sees a draw, with 3 of the 4 previous meetings ending with the scores level. The only exception was a 3-1 victory for Margate in the SECWFL Cup 1st round in 2021 where goals from Kara Richardson, Wiktoria Bukowska and Nicole Adams gave Margate the slight edge in the head-to-head record.

Steph Meek had her say ahead of the trip to Sevenoaks:

“The team showed a great level of resilience this week, coming off the back of a significant defeat they dusted themselves off and trained hard. Each aware of the shortfall in performance and each working very hard and with the right attitude".

“We have focused on set pieces this week, something we have always stood out for being well drilled with. As we have seen several new faces through the season, it was something that needed revisiting, and they did so with real enthusiasm".

“Something we couldn’t have foreseen is the sheer number of injuries we have suffered in recent weeks, not just little knocks and twinges but ones that are likely to impact us for the remainder of the season. That’s something I’m acutely aware of and it is my responsibility to manage that".

"We will continue to look at potential new players during breaks between matches and hopefully get a few more in to help cover these injuries before the window closes in four weeks time".

“3 points this weekend is the ideal, but we still hold an advantage of 3 games in hand on this side and are very much in reach of finishing in the top 3. Some weeks we need to ride the wave and do what we can to get through. If each player can say to me with confidence that they gave their all then what more of them can I ask".

SEVENOAKS TOWN LAST FIVE RESULTS:

Maidstone United 1- 5 Sevenoaks Town – SECWFL Premier Division

Sevenoaks Town 2-4 Parkwood Rangers – SECWFL Cup

XL Academy 0-1 Sevenoaks Town – SECWFL Premier Division

Sevenoaks Town 2-1 Sittingbourne – Kent FA Plate

Gleve 1-2 Sevenoaks Town – SECWFL Premier Division

MARGATE LAST FIVE RESULTS:

Margate 3-0 Sittingbourne – SECWFL Premier Division

Sittingbourne 1-3 Margate – SECWFL Cup

Margate 3-1 London Road – SECWFL Premier Division

Margate 3-0 XL Academy – Kent FA Plate

Margate 1-4 Tunbridge Wells Foresters – SECWFL Premier Division

You can view the full SECWFL Premier Division table here!

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Natalie Graves has made 121 appearances for the Sevenoaks side since signing for the team back in 2020 scoring 45 goals and receiving 10 player of the match awards. Having netted 9 of her 45 club goals this season she will be one for the Margate defence to be wary of at this weekends fixture.

The Blues squad this weekend will feature Charlotte Scales. Despite being one of the youngest players to feature within the Margate squad, Scales shows great composure on the ball and can make all the difference in the game. Scales in known for her impactive performances from the bench however this week will have an opportunity to show her strength as she sees herself make the starting XI.

STADIUM ADDRESS:

Greatness Recreation Ground

Mill Lane, Sevenoaks

Kent

TN14 5BX

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