Women Progress in Vitality Women's FA Cup

Report by David Hansen

History was made at Hartsdown Park on Sunday afternoon as Margate women advanced to the 3rd Qualifying round for the first time in their history as they ran out 7-1 winners against Bromleians.

The build up to the match was tense and nervy as the ‘Gate knew what was at stake with a potential huge tie coming in the next round.

The beginning of the game was a little cagey as both teams looked too warm to the game, but it was Margate who had the early chances as a shot from Esme Kew-Stroud went wide and Charlotte Scales who was on full debut for the side fired a shot wide from the edge of the box.

The game also saw the return of fullback Abbey Duff from injury and she was having her influence on the game as she intercepted a pass and sent winger Rebecca Niblett down the wing before her cross was claimed by the keeper. Margate were starting to get closer to the opening goal.

However, minutes later a Bromleians attacker was brought down in the area by Lily Kemp which gave the visitors a penalty. Fortunately, the penalty taken was high and wide of the goal, a huge let of for the ‘Gate.

The concession of the penalty and subsequent miss seemed to spur Margate on as only a minute later Abigail Greetham whipped a lovely cross towards the 6-yard box and arriving at the back post was Niblett to head home at the back post to make it 1-0.

Only a couple of minutes later Margate doubled their lead as Jemma Barton found the skipper Becca Slevin through on goal who then cooly passed the ball into the goal to make it 2-0 in double quick time.

Margate managed to add a third before the break as Niblett broke down the left wing before sending a high cross into the area and after some pinball it was the returning Jemma Barton who poked the ball away to give Margate a 3-0 lead going into half time.

The ‘gate were rampant as they nearly got a 4th before the break when Slevin rolled Kew-Stroud in down the right, but her shot was only able to find the side netting.

The 2nd half started poorly for Margate as they conceded a sloppy goal as Goalkeeper Jasmine Wood was unable to deal with a ball at her feet and the striker was gifted a goal to give Bromleians a route back into this game.

With Bromleians looking to get back into the game, Charlotte Scales was replaced by Abbie Luby and had an immediate impact. Kew-Stroud ran down the wing and entered the box before pulling the ball back across the area and finding Luby who had an open goal to restore the 3-goal margin and make it 4-1.

The goal gave Margate an injection of confidence again as they scored another this time as a cross was knocked down towards the edge of the box and a fantastic long-range effort found the top corner of the goal off the foot of Niblett who grabbed her 2nd of the afternoon.

With just 15 minutes left on the clock Margate got their 6th of the day as Niblett grabbed herself a hattrick as the captain Slevin dribbled the ball towards the goal from a tight angle and played the ball across for Niblett to grab an easy 3rd to add to her 4 goals already this season.

Just before the final whistle midfielder Greetham struck a powerful low shot from the edge of the box and found the bottom corner beyond the reach of the keeper to finalise the game and send Margate into the 3rd Qualifying round and at the same time make history as they reach the 3rd qualifying round for the very first time.

With a crowd of 104 the support for the women today was superb and was a brilliant day in the growth of women's football. With the draw for the next round to come the excitement builds in hope of a good draw.

Attention turns now to the league cup as we face Baypoint Women on the 8th of October with kick-off scheduled for 3:00pm.

Lineup:

Wood, Charman, Scales (Luby 57’), Slevin ©, Greetham, Kemp, Barton (Speller 76’), Niblett, Duff (Nightingale 74’), Coltham-Lai, Kew-Stroud.

Unused Subs:

Mann, King, Harrington, Chapman

Goals:

Niblett x3

Greetham x1

Slevin x1

Barton x1

Luby x1

Assists:

Greetham x1

Barton x1

Niblett x1

Kew-Stroud x1

Slevin x1

Yellow Cards:

Kew-Stroud x1

Duff x1

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