Women’s football in West Kent was given a spirited lift at the weekend as several clubs secured their path to cup success this season.
South East Counties Womens Football League (SECWFL) Premier side, Tunbridge Wells Foresters FC, progressed through to the League Cup final at the Gallagher Stadium (Maidstone United FC) after defeating Margate FC on the road, winning the tie 4-5 on penalties.
On the fulltime whistle, there was nothing to split the sides as the game finished 2-2 and with no more goals in extra time, the referee ordered the spot kicks. The difference was just one penalty miss by Margate which secured a place in the final for Tunbridge Wells on May 26th.
Bizarrely, Foresters’ 2nd XI also won on penalties, this time at home on Hawkenbury Recreation Ground in the SECWFL Kent Divisional Cup against Baypoint FC from Sandwich.
After another close fought game that also finished 2-2 after extra time, with goals from Rachel Benson and Cassie Bunting, Foresters despatched their opponents 4-2 on penalties with Tunbridge Wells’ goalkeeper Helena Fothergill stopping two of the Baypoint spot kicks.
That win now sets up a dream semi-final tie for the club away at Deal on March 19th. The winner of that match will then head to the Gallagher Stadium on a date yet to be released by the league.
Chipstead FC play Junior Reds Roses FC this Sunday in the same competition, and a win over the Bexleyheath based side will set up a mouth-watering tie with Kings Hill FC, who successfully navigated their way past Long Lane FC at the weekend, winning 1-0 thanks to
a goal from substitute Isabel Rodriguez.
Should performances go the way of our sides, then we could see an all West Kent Final between Chipstead or Kings Hill and Tunbridge Wells Foresters 2nd XI.
However, whatever the results, it is clear to see that women’s football in West Kent is growing massively, and with the superb network of clubs on our doorsteps, the next generation of women footballers have a wonderful opportunity to grow with the game.
