Woodcoombe Women (H) - 17th September 2023

By David Hansen

League action for the women returns to Hartsdown Park for another season as our Women take on Woodcoombe in their first home league fixture of the season on Sunday afternoon.

Margate come into this game off a fantastic display last week at Hartsdown Park as they dispatched of Maidstone United in the 1st Qualifying round by 6 goals to Nil to setup a tie in the 2nd Qualifying round against Bromleians at home.

Woodcoombe come into this game on the back of a defeat in the league against Parkwood Rangers 3-2 and before that an entertaining 3-3 draw against Tunbridge Wells Foresters so they will be hungry to get their first three points on the board for the season.

The last time Margate and Woodcoombe played each other was only as recent as this pre-season where Margate won convincingly away at the Woodcoombe Sports & Social club by a score of 8-0 so the ‘Gate have good knowledge already of the opposition to aid in their preparation for today's game.

The ‘Gate will be without a couple of important players. Last week's management player of the match Fleur Charman is missing as well as super sub Holly Enright who netted twice from the bench against Maidstone. Full back Abbey Duff still misses out through an arm injury and Abbie Luby will also be unavailable.

Kick-off for the game is scheduled for 3pm with entrance to the ground available from the side gate next to the turnstiles, with adult tickets costing £2 and Concession tickets costing £1.

We look forward to seeing as many supporters as possible cheer on Steph Meek’ side as they continue their SECWFL premier division quest.

Women In Seventh Heaven

By David Hansen

Margate Women managed to pick up their first three points in the SECWFL Premier Division at Hartsdown Park as they defeated Woodcoombe Ladies 7-4 on Sunday afternoon.

It was the visitors who started the brighter, as they were pinning the ‘Gate backline deep and playing some quick attacking football. Woodcoombe had a plethora of corners of which all were repelled well by Margate as they looked to ride the early storm.

Woodcoombe broke the deadlock in the 26th minute from a unusual goal. An intended cross from the winger was swung towards the back post but managed to find its way under the bar and into the corner of the net to give Woodcoombe a deserved lead. After the goal Margate began to settle on the bar and would begin creating chances of their own.

The ‘Gate went close as Paige Godden was played through by Abbie Greetham, but the Woodcoombe keeper managed to get a foot to the ball and directed it away for a ‘Gate corner. The resulting corner led to the hosts first goal as a superb cross from Rebecca Niblett picked out Nicole Adams and she fired the ball home with a header to bring the ‘Gate level.

With momentum on Margate’ side now, they were able to grab a quick second goal as a free kick was swung in by JJ Speller to the back post where Godden was able to head the ball back across the goal and pick out the far corner to put the ‘Gate in front.

Margate were hungry for more before the break as they went in search of another. Greetham who seemingly was pulling the strings in the midfield picked out Niblett through on goal and with a composed strike found the top left corner to give Margate a 3rd goal.

Half time was nearing but Steph Meek’ side added a 4th goal, as Lily Kemp turned a clearance into a wonderful long ball and picked out Niblett who took a good touch and fired her low shot into the corner to grab her 2nd of the day on the stroke of half time.

Woodcoombe, knowing they had to get back into the game struck early in the 2nd half as a shot from a relatively tight angle was hit with power and was too good for Jasmine Wood to get a glove on it gave Woodcoombe a route back into the match.

Any kind of a comeback was thwarted very soon after as substitute Ruby Mann played a nice ball towards Godden who used her strength to fend of oncoming defenders, to allow her to get a shot away and pick up her 2nd goal of the afternoon and put the hosts firmly back in control of the tie.

Following Godden’ second goal the ‘Gate introduced the newest player to their ranks in the form of Charlotte Scales who showed what she was about as she won tackles made good passes and looked very at home on her debut providing plenty from the bench.

Another goal was added shortly after the change and this goal was all about the skills of Esme Kew-Stroud. She picked up the ball and weaved her way past several defenders before also rounding the keeper and tapped it into an empty net to get herself on the scoresheet.

Greetham managed to grab herself yet another assist on the day as her cross from a corner found Kew-Stroud at the back post who managed to bundle the ball home after a very scrappy looking passage of play to give the ‘Gate their 7th of the afternoon.

With the game coming into the final five minutes there were some tired legs as a through ball from Woodcoombe couldn’t be dealt with and the oncoming striker rounded Wood and placed the ball into the empty net to give Woodcoombe their 3rd of the game.

Woodcoombe weren't done there as they grabbed a 4th from the last attack of the game. A direct free-kick was too good for keeper Wood which allowed Woodcoombe to reduce the deficit to just three goals as the final whistle blew.

The team will now look forward to their next match which is away from home as they take on Parkwood Rangers at Bexley Park Sports and Social Club on the 24th of September. Parkwood Rangers will be looking for form as they were defeated 2-0 by Maidstone United this weekend.

Starting Lineup:

Wood, King, Kemp, Coltham-Lai, Ashby, Adams ©, Greetham, Kew-Stroud, Speller, Niblett, Godden.

Substitutes:

Mann, Scales

Goals:

Godden x2

Adams x1

Niblett x2

Kew-Stroud x2

Assists:

Greetham x2

Niblett x1

Mann x1

Speller x1

Kemp x1

Yellow Cards:

Adams x1

Mann x1