Glebe (H) - 14th April 2024

By Steph Meek

Margate Women play their final home game of the 2023/24 season as they host Glebe at Hartsdown Park this weekend.

With two games in hand, the team will be keen to secure the points and close the gap on second place as we draw closer to the end of the season.

The visitors have struggled this season having only won three of their 15 fixtures. They are currently in 10th place in the league, but, despite this, are currently on good form. Glebe come into this fixture off the back of two consecutive wins, the first of which came against bottom of the table Woodcoombe. The most recent of their victories came last week when they defeated Sittingbourne 3-1 at home. The team will be hoping to prove their worth in a bid to climb out of the relegation zone in the closing stages of the season.

The Blues are looking strong heading into the match, having scored 13 goals in two matches. An emphatic 8-0 win against Bromlieans at home was followed by a dominant performance against Parkwood where the team secured a 5-1 victory. With five of their current squad in the top 20 goal scorers of the league and sitting just 3 goals behind the highest goal-scoring team, the home side will be looking to increase their tally on Sunday.

This will be the first time these teams have clashed this season, and it is set to be a thrilling watch for anyone who makes the trip to Hartsdown Park. Both the home side and the visitors are fighting for points to secure their league positions and it is all to play for.

Manager Steph Meek said:

“I am feeling positive ahead of this fixture. For us, it should be routine, but we cannot take this for granted. We are building for the final next week and there is plenty still to work on. This game is crucial for some many reasons.

“We will be looking to secure our squad choices and finalise tactics following this fixture and so every player should be focused and driven to give everything they can on the pitch this week.

“A win is important here. Not only are we closing in on second place, but the morale will also be essential heading into next week's final. A game is always easier when the team are on a high, it is hard enough to pick yourself up following a defeat but even more so when the fixture is a crucial one.

“We must be mindful that we are in the latters stages of the season, legs and brains are tired and with this week being the school holidays, player availability can be limited. We need to continue to push through these last 4 fixtures with maximum effort and achieving the maximum possible before the players can take a well-earned rest at the end of the season.”

Previous Meetings:

Glebe Ladies 0-5 Margate Ladies – SECWFL Premier Division – (05/02/23)

Goals: Harriet Galloway, Rebecca Niblett x3

Margate Ladies 4-2 Glebe Ladies – SECWFL Premier Division - (04/12/22)

Goals; Amelia Woodgate x2, Becca Slevin x2

Glebe Ladies 2-0 Margate Ladies – SECWFL Division 1 East - (24/04/22)

Margate Ladies 3-0 Glebe Ladies – SECWFL Division 1 East - (14/11/21)

Goals: Kara Richardson x2, Steph Meek

Glebe Ladies 2-5 Margate Ladies – SECWFL Division 1 East - (13/09/20)

Goals: Ashleigh Brooks x2, Kara Richardson, Wiktoria Bukowska, Nicole Adams

Players to watch:

This week we have chosen Paige Godden. Paige brings several elements to the team, goalscoring, hold up play and a nice range of passing. She is currently the club's top scorer this season with 15 goals to her name. Paige was a key figure in last week’s fixture after netting twice and assisting two others. Paige has been a core member of the team this season, starting most games.

For Glebe we have chosen, Jodie Lazell. With 16 starts this season she is a core member of the visitors’ squad and aptly wears the captain’s armband. This season Lazell has been awarded opposition player of the match on two occasions. Her presence on the pitch will be something for The Blues to be mindful of.

The match against Glebe kicks off at 3pm at Hartsdown Park with ticket prices at £2 for adults and £1 for concessions.

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