Ladies prepare for home debut

Margate Ladies are set to make their Hartsdown Park debut on Thursday night when they host Maidstone United in the Boux Avenue Ryman Women's Cup.

The winners of the first round tie will face either West Ham Ladies or Charlton Athletic Ladies in the next round of the competition which was won last season by Gillingham Ladies. In May, they beat Haverhill Rovers 5-0 at Chatham Town's London Road to lift the trophy in successive seasons.

Kick off for their inaugural fixture at Hartsdown Park is 7.30pm with tickets priced at £3 for adults and 50p for children. Gate officials say their bar will be open as well as the club's burger van serving tea, coffee, hot food and snacks for hungry fans.

Lingerie specialists Boux Avenue took over the sponsorship of the cup last season after the Ryman Group renewed and expanded its 19 year sponsorship deal.

As a result, another Ryman company, homewares retailer Robert Dyas, also started sponsoring the Robert Dyas League Cup, the Robert Dyas Vets Cup, the Robert Dyas Disability Cup and the Robert Dyas Youth Play-off Cup.