Tonbridge Angels Women host Maidstone United Women this Sunday in a match that will have a decisive say in the outcome of the South East Counties Kent Premier Division title race.
Joe Rowe’s Angels side top the division with 45 points with two matches still to play, while Maidstone are just a point behind. Both sides play bottom four opposition in their final game and will be considered strong favourites in those matches, so this weekend’s tie will be crucial in deciding who takes league honours, and the sole guaranteed promotion place.
The teams have already met twice this season, both times at Maidstone’s Gallagher Stadium, with Maidstone twice coming out narrowly on top. An injury time own goal gave them a 2-1 win in the League Cup semi-final on March 1st then four weeks later Maidstone led twice and were pulled level by Angels before a free-kick from Kylie Manktelow sealed a 3-2 win.
That defeat is the only blemish on what has otherwise been a perfect league record for Tonbridge who have scored 82 goals across 15 wins and 1 loss this season and in doing so boast four of the top five league goalscorers with Aimee Churchill (20), Grace Mayhead (20), Amelia Cooper (13) and Charlotte Cresswell (11) all reaching double figures in the league.
Maidstone will bring to Longmead their own significant attacking threat with experienced pair Kylie Manktelow (13) and Tori Campbell (9) topping their league charts supported by young talent Chi Madamombe and Wilkinson sisters Kady and Kelsi.
Both sides faced a testing final warm-up for the match against the same team, third-placed Cray Wanderers. On Sunday Tonbridge visited Flamingo Park and flew into a 5-0 lead by half-time, adding a sixth after the break before Cray responded from the penalty spot. The Tonbridge goalscorers were Churchill (3), Cresswell and Cooper (2). Last night (Thursday) Maidstone faced Cray in the Kent Women’s Plate final where early goals in each half from Kelsi Wilkinson and Tilly Rowsell gave them a comfortable lead which was extended via an Aimee Ascott header.
Kick off this Sunday is at 2pm with the turnstiles open from 12.30pm. Tea Hut, Sports Bar and Fries Like An Angel will all be open throughout the match.
Admission is FREE for all Under 16s and all men’s first team season ticket holders, £5 for adults.
