Match Preview: Kent Reliance Women's Plate Final

It will be an intriguing game as Bromley Ladies take on Swale Ladies in the Final of the Kent Reliance Women's Plate.

It'll be three straight finals for Bromley after they booked their place in the last two with a 2-1 victory against Cray Valley in the semi-finals.

Having booked their place in the final that takes place at Ashford United's Homelands Stadium on Sunday 3rd April, Bromley will look to defend their title against a determined Swale Ladies side that secured their spot with a 4-1 win against Faversham Strike Force.

Bromley have been keen to score on their passage to the final, putting six past Anchorians Ladies 2nds in the First Round, with the game ending up 6-3 after extra time after in ended up being 3-3 after 90 minutes.

A 2-1 victory against Kent Football United (Under 18 girls) saw Bromley progress to the Quarter Final stage, in which they received a walkover against University of Kent Ladies.

Swale Ladies came into the Plate at the Second Round stage, winning 3-2 at Teynham Gunners FC Ladies and booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 victory at home to Margate FC Ladies.

With both sides coming into the game in form, it should be a keenly fought contest with Bromley going into the Final as slight favourites having impressed in recent seasons.

In Rebecca Bays, Bromley have someone that can turn a game, having scored a hat-trick in last season's 3-1 win against Princes of Wales.

After suffering a 7-1 defeat to Herne Bay Ladies the season before, Bromley go into the Final having tasted both heartbreak and joy, so will be fired up for the latest of their Plate adventures.

Swale Ladies are no strangers to Finals themselves and last season their Under 16s side were beaten 2-0 in the Final against Phoenix Sports, showing how far the side have come in recent years.

With more girls and ladies playing football across the county now, the standard of competition has raised several levels and both Bromley Ladies and Swale Ladies will be looking to put on a great show of women's football in the heart of the county.

Bromley Ladies FC manager Hayley Pickett said of making the final “We (coaching staff ) are extremely proud to be able to represent Bromley LFC, again the FA Kent Plate final. It’s competitions like this that inspire the girls’ to go out and win. It is my first season running a ladies side, and I inherited a great team from last year and having such a good quality of coaching staff, has allowed us to bring players back into football, and to the team, and these players have made a massive difference to how we can set up each week. I would like to congratulate all our ladies, they have worked hard all season, and being in the final is no more than they all deserve.”

Swale Ladies manager Chris Baacke is delighted his side have made the finals of the Kent Reliance Women’s Plate “We have a fantastic squad who all love their football and are willing to learn and take on new ideas.  They have a great collective attitude towards not only the game but the club, they realise the importance of being role models for the younger girls that will be coming up through the ranks and not only playing with Swale but staying with the girls/ladies football. Hopefully some of those youngsters will be here supporting us today.”

Kick-off is at 2:30pm at the Homelands Stadium on Sunday 3rd April with adult admission just £6, concessions only £4, whilst under 5s gain free entry into the game.

If you can’t make it to the action, keep up to date with by following @KentFA on twitter, and using the #MagicOfTheCup hashtag.

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