Women Fall To Defeat At Hartsdown Park

By David Hansen

Margate Women fell to their 4th defeat of the season after a lacklustre performance saw Tunbridge Wells Foresters ride out 4-1 winners at Hartsdown.

Tunbridge Wells Foresters started the game quickly, with some nice passing and close control, this led to the visitors taking an early lead in the 5th minute, when Lauryn Underhill placed a shot in the far corner and out of reach of the stand in keeper Ruby Mann.

Margate got back into the game in the 26th minute when a cross form Abbey Duff eventually fell to Abbie Greetham, who fired the ball past the keeper to level the score. Just 4 minutes later Tunbridge Wells Foresters restored their lead, as Leech found some space and struck another shot into the corner, giving the visitors the lead at the break.

Following the Tunbridge Wells Foresters 2nd goal, they started to seize real control of the game and extended their lead after a cross was turned into the goal, which bounced in off the crossbar and just over the line leaving some room for debate as to whether the whole ball had crossed.

Margate were compounded to a defeat in the 86th minute when another cross caused real issues, allowing for a Foresters player to tap the ball past Greetham, giving them a 4th goal and taking the 3 points back to Tunbridge Wells.

Steph Meek had her take following the defeat:

“This week was a tough one to take. A few last minute illnesses meant that formation plans changed and the depth didn’t extend as far as I would have liked.”

“We were lacklustre from the off, we were late to press the ball and looked to be playing as a number of individuals rather than the cohesive unit that we are so used to.”

“Tunbridge Wells Foresters played some nice football, knocking the ball around well and communicating to a high level, we could learn a thing or two from their performance today.”

“Sometimes we need a little humbling to identify that our successes haven't come without effort and dedication and highlight that we simply cannot afford to become complacent.”

“These two weeks were always going to prove the more difficult, playing both teams sitting above us in the table but they’re not unachievable fixtures. We showed that by knocking XL out from the plate last week.”

“It’s not the end of the world and the growth we gain from the loss this weekend will be far more valuable in the long run.”

Margate Women return to action next Sunday in the SECWFL Premier Division against Sevenoaks Town at The Greatness Recreation Ground.

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