Bluebirds Pull Off Cup Shock

By Evan Paris

Margate Ladies pulled off a cup shock at Hartsdown Park on Sunday afternoon, beating a side two leagues above to progress to the next round of the Kent FA Women’s Cup.

The Bluebirds will be in the draw for the third round after overcoming a very good Parkwood Rangers team who play in the London Ladies Premier League.

Margate were quick out of the blocks and tested the Rangers goalkeeper early on as Wiktoria Bukowska , Grace Phillips-James and Harriet Woolston all had shots on target within five mins.

Margate keeper Lauren Watson pulled off a great block as Rangers hit back with some pressure of their own.

Gate’s back four held out and it was the Blues who opened the scoring through Woolston, who chested the ball down before coolly finishing on 19 minutes. 

A physical battle in the middle ensued with neither team were given an inch as the tackles flew in.

35 minutes in Bukowska rounded three players but was denied by the visitor’s keeper who parried the effort into the path of Woolston who slotted home for her second.

With the hosts 2-0 up, only the woodwork could deny Woolston a hat trick before halftime.

Parkwood pressed early in the second half and Lucy Paris made a crucial goal line clearance as Watson was beaten by a superb free kick. 

Margate were forced into a change as Shannon King picked up an injury from a late challenge 65 minutes in.

Her replacement Nicole Adams scored within 10 seconds as she ran straight into the box and dispatched a bullet header from a corner with her first touch.

With a three goal advantage, it was going to take something special to beat player of the match Watson between the sticks and there was nothing she could do with a 30 yard screamer on 70 minutes.

Margate dug in to hold the 3-1 advantage and with the fresh legs of Megan Longden and birthday girl Izzy Robinson coming on late, The Bluebirds held on and now go into the last eight draw for the senior Women’s County Cup...

Lauren Watson, Olivia Godden, Rebecca Slevin, Rebecca Longley (c), Wiktoria Bukowska ,Lucy Paris, Amy Robinson, Grace Phillips-James, Shannon King, Harriet Woolston, Hannah Russell

Subs: Izzy Robinson, Nicole Adams, Shannon Bailey, Annabelle Ashby, Megan Longden.

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