Gillingham Ladies enjoyed a dominant 90 minutes as they welcomed relegation rivals Colchester Ladies to Chatham Town FC on Sunday afternoon.

By Charlotte Richardson

Unfortunately, despite the majority of possession, goal scoring opportunities and corners, the Gills failed to find the back of the net.

Both teams came into the weekend fixture on the back of completely contrasting mid-week results. Gillingham Ladies annihilated Enfield Town 8-0 on Tuesday evening, whilst Colchester fell to a disappointing cup loss to opposition two divisions below.

Colchester’s approach to the opening exchanges clearly demonstrated their desire to right mid-week wrongs. After some slick, sharp passing around the Gills box, Colchester won three successive corners. Gillingham defended admirably as a unit against all three of Colchester’s attempts to break them down and from that moment until the end of the first half, the Gills dictated the tempo of the match.

Gillingham’s midfield trio Danielle Carlton, Jay Blackie and Emma Tune pulled the strings for considerable periods. Their passing directed all Gills attacks as they switched up play trying to exploit Gills’ pace down the wings with Kallie Balfour and Jade Keogh ready to press.

Balfour made several mazy runs down the left hand side. On one occasion she was hauled down by the Colchester defender, providing Carlton with the opportunity to execute a Gills set piece. Her pinpoint delivery met Rachel Ahern, but the centre back’s header flew over the crossbar.

Gillingham went agonisingly close to going ahead when another Carlton delivery caused mayhem in the Colchester box. Amongst a sea of bodies, no Gills players were able to make that crucial contact to drive the ball into the back of the net.

Colchester were presented with an opportunity when they awarded a free kick from 20 yards out. Positioned advantageously a powerful shot was unleashed to test Charlotte Stephens. The Gills keeper positioned herself well to view the ball properly and watched the ball whistle over the crossbar.

Interspersed amongst Gills attacks, Colchester created another clear cut opportunity after a crafty one two unlocked the Gills centre backs leaving the Colchester striker with time and space to place a shot on goal. Stephens saved Gills blushes reacting superbly to get down quickly to her left and parry the shot wide.

Gillingham fought back from this instantaneously with Emma Wood making a fantastic run down the wing before drilling a dangerous ball into the box. Tune rose highest and glanced a headed that narrowly missed the target.

Tune was involved in the action again minutes later, pinching possession off of Colchester and feeding an intricate ball into the feet of Natalie Crinean who shook off several challenges with ease and fired in a shot. The Colchester goalkeeper’s outstretched palms prevented Gills from taking a deserved lead into the break.

Half time 0-0

Gills continued to manage play as the second half got underway. Wood worked well with Balfour again releasing the winger with another good ball to attack the Colchester goal. Balfour teased the ball past several challenges and into the box before picking out a great pass into a mêlée of players. A goal mouth scramble ensued but Gillingham Ladies failed to enforce the final important touch to put them in front.

Colchester cleared their lines but only so far into the path of Carlton who unleashed a wild shot that smacked the crossbar.

Gills continued to produce attack after attack but Colchester were resilient and the perfect touch, pass and shot seemed to escape the Ladies.

The next best chance for Gills arrived when Balfour positioned herself well in the box to hook  a shot towards the top corner but the ball floated just over.

Colchester could have stolen the lead on the counter attack after some sloppy Gills passing encouraged the Colchester left back to gallop towards goal and place a decent ball through the Gills back four. With the goal widening at her mercy, the Colchester forward blasted the ball wide letting the Gills off from a moment of lost concentration.

Gillingham had a very strong call for a penalty when Crinean received a crunching tackle after the ball was played. The referee instantaneously waved away appeals and Gills reassembled to keep pushing for a breakaway.

Colchester defended bravely with lots of bodies blocking shots and rebounds flying in and around the area.

Carlton produced another spectacular delivery from a set piece which Ahern headed on target but Gills found themselves rapidly in trouble as Colchester produced a stunning counter-attack. In the space of 30 seconds Gills were thanking the inside of the crossbar for preserving them a point as a ball was whipped in by Colchester.

The full time whistle blew and the score remained 0-0. No sweet result for Gillingham but a crucial point at the business end of the season.

Gillingham: Stephens, Williams, Ashton-Jones, Ahern, Wood, Carlton, Blackie, Tune (Pepper, 85), Crinean (Taylor, 85), Balfour, Keogh (Davies, 75)

Colchester: Runnalles, Bloures, Lavilla, Hiasia, Smith, Clements, Doyle, Rushen, Nash, Shorten, Codling

Subs: Miambo, Twydell, Stretly

Picture supplied by Julian Hart Photography