Women Cruise To Friendly Win

By David Hansen

Steph Meek and George Websper’ Margate women's side were in action at Hartsdown Park to take on Betteshanger in their latest friendly match in a massively important day for the women's game, after the England Lionesses lost to Spain 1-0 in the World Cup earlier that day.

The ‘Gate were given an early scare as a shot from range left goalkeeper Jasmine Wood scrambling, but fortunately the bar saved the ‘Gate from conceding early. A couple of minutes later in the 5th minute Margate punished the missed opportunity of Betteshanger as a long diagonal cross field ball from Alicia Conabeer found the feet of JJ Speller who was able to slide the ball past the keeper and put the ‘Gate 1-0 up.

Rebecca Niblett started to cause the backline issues as she blasted a shot just wide of the goal and moments later played a terrific cross in towards the back post and Paige Godden was able to nod the ball home from close range doubling the ‘Gate lead in the 14th minute.

Margate were able to keep things up after the water break, as Abbey Duff played a fantastic through ball to Godden who was able to loop the ball over the oncoming keeper to grab her 2nd goal of the afternoon in the 27th minute.

Big chances from Duff whose shot from the right-side of the box hit the bar and Godden who had a shot saved to deny a first half treble, kept the score at 3-0 heading into the break.

Meek’ side didn’t relent after the break as Nicole Adams was able to launch a huge throw into the area for Niblett to head home from six yards out adding to the ‘Gate tally for the day in the 54th minute.

Betteshanger came out of the break with more energy and a renewed spirit as they were able to create some good chances of their own, as a shot which was just wide caused trouble and a fantastic save from Wood who had to be on her toes to tip the ball behind for a corner.

This pressure from Betteshanger gave them a reward of a goal as their forward was played through and opened the angle to slot home to deny Wood a clean sheet and give Betteshanger a reward for their continued pressure in the 80th minute.

After the Betteshanger goal there was a break in play for an injury which allowed the ’Gate to regroup and go again. Margate furthered their lead just after the resumption as an Adams low driven cross managed to find its way to Conabeer who was able to slide in and push the ball into the back of the net in the 86th minute.

There was an instant reply from Betteshanger as a through ball played behind the 'Gate line and slotted away to reduce the margin again to three goals in the 88th minute.

Just before the final whistle Margate were able to add to their tally as a hard shot from skipper Becca Slevin was parried only as far as Conabeer who coolly slotted away for her 2nd goal of the game in the 96th minute.

Looking forward now, Margate have their eyes on the tough test of the Millwall u18s at Hartsdown Park as they look to build towards their first game of the season away to Sittingbourne.

A fantastic day of coming together for our Women and the Lionesses.

Goals

Speller 5’

Godden 14’ 27’

Niblett 54’

Conabeer 86’ 90+6’

Line-up

Wood, Duff, Conabeer, Slevin ©, Adams, Kemp, Godden, Niblett, Mann, Coltham-Lai, Speller

Attendance

89

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