A comeback victory over Cambridge United WFC for Gillingham Ladies sets them just one game away from an unbeaten league season.
A first half goal from Cambridge’s Laura Mills gave the hosts a half time lead, but a valiant Gills side battled back in the second half with goals from Fliss Gibbons and Charlotte Gurr to record their 18th win in 21 league games so far this season.
The hosts created the games opening chance of the game with just five minutes on the clock. Emma Jenkins found space and the time to force a shot on the Gillingham goal. Jenkins effort was straight at Gills goalkeeper Courtney Shanly.
Gillingham Ladies struggled to find a foothold in the opening part of the game. Fliss Gibbon had a shot which was way wide of the mark before Charlotte Gurr couldn’t turn her header on target from Kallie Balfour’s cross.
Just before the half hour point, the hosts took the lead. Evie Gallop dispossessed Mollie Kmita on the touch line and managed to deliver a cross to the near post. Laura Mills connected to send the ball crashing into the top corner of the near post. 1-0
Cambridge United pressed for a second before the break but Gillingham’s resilience saw the solitary goal the difference at the interval.
HALF TIME: CAMBRIDGE UNITED WFC 1 (MILLS 28′) GILLINGHAM LADIES FC 0
The second half started in a tentative manner as both sides looked to avoid an early slip up. Gillingham provided the chances on goal to not rule out a come back.
Jade Keogh and Jenny Newman combining well with quick one two passing, Keogh delivering a low shot on goal, the effort was wide of the left post.
Gillingham continued to press for a way back into the game. Keogh’s corner was delivered into the six yard box and caused panic amongst the Cambridge defence before it was cleared to safety.
Gills finally found the break through with twelve minutes of the game left to go. Gibbons turned her marker to free up a shot on goal, the forward’s shot rocketed into the back of the net. 1-1
Gills turn around of the game was complete three minutes later. Second half substitute Ellie Manning delivering a pin point cross for Charlotte Gurr to spring past the defensive line and latch on to. Gurr slotting home into the bottom right corner to give Gills the lead. 1-2
Cambridge almost levelled the scoreline with the last kick of the game. Nicole Perschky’s cross finding Laura Mills on the edge of the six yard box. Cambridge’s forward turned the shot over the crossbar to the relief of the Gills side.
FULL TIME: CAMBRIDGE UNITED WFC 1 (MILLS 28′) GILLINGHAM LADIES FC 2 (GIBBONS 78′, GURR 81′)
Cambridge United WFC: Liz Pamplin, Emma Jenkins, Carrie Bennett, Paige Logie, Laura Bright, Kayleigh Burt, Laura Mills, Ashleigh Deacon, Evie Gallop, Becky Taylor, Carolyn Sarafian
Subs: Gabrielle Whitehurst, Nicole Perschky, Faith Hewitt, Holly Northfield
Gillingham Ladies FC: Courtney Shanly, Mollie Kmita (Ellie Manning 80′), Cat Cooper, Rachel Ahern, April Bowers, Jade Keogh, Rosie Kmita, Jenny Newman (Bethany Nugent 80′), Charlotte Gurr, Fliss Gibbons, Kallie Balfour (Emily Symonds 54′)
Unused Subs: Vanisha Patel