Gills ladies failed to finish their final league season on a high, after losing 2-1 to Portsmouth in their final game of the season on Sunday afternoon.
Portsmouth, who are still fighting for the league title managed to take home a well-deserved three points after Gemma Hillier fired a long shot straight into the back of the net after only 50 seconds to give them an early lead.
Charley Wilson then put them further ahead on the half hour mark, after a misplaced pass found the Pompey striker who also saw her shot from distance find the back of the net.
Anelle Massey pulled one back for the Gills with a great effort smashing the ball into the bottom corner only moments after leaving the substitutes bench in the second half.
Portsmouth made it clear that they were putting up the fight after making the most of their early pressure, as Gemma Hillier netted an effort from outside the area only 50 seconds into play.
Gills had their first opportunity 12 minutes in after Lauren Williams crossed to Vicky Ashton-Jones who took advantage of an excellent first touch and fired the ball from inside the area, which looked like it was goal bound but for a good save from the Portsmouth keeper.
During the first half hour it is fair to say that Portsmouth dominated the game and made it difficult for Gills to get a look in. Due to numerous accurate passes from Portsmouth that left Gills chasing shadows and struggling to keep any possession of the ball, as well as some desperate defending.
A misplaced pass from Emma Tune helped Portsmouth extend their lead just 30 minutes in. Charley Wilson created space and her long range shot flew straight past Faye Baker into the back of the net.
Moments later Gillingham created their second opportunity of the game after a powerful pass from Natalie Crinean from the half way line to Tune who fired her shot from inside the area just wide of the goal post.
The Portsmouth defence stood strong to deny the Gills shortly before half time after a well delivered Deanna Cooper corner caused some concern for the Pompey defence.
Just minutes before the half time whistle, Bryony Smith had Gills third opportunity of the match with a well struck effort inside the area which was well saved by Portsmouth’s keeper.
Half Time 0-2
In the second half the Gills came out looking to show that they can also play football much like Portsmouth had in the first half.
Minutes into the second half, Portsmouth’s Wilson kept possession after skilfully weaving through Gillingham’s defence and passing to Lauren Murphy who tried to extend their lead further with a fantastic strike that Baker was equal to in the Gills goal.
The Gills finally created a goal after Crinean battled for possession with Portsmouth’s Kirstie McGee and fed the ball to Massey who struck her effort into the bottom corner from a tight angle on the edge of the area after 69 minutes.
Moments later, Portsmouth almost extended their lead with yet another opportunity after a brilliant free-kick taken by McGee which saw the ball smash back off the cross bar.
With only ten minutes before the fulltime whistle, Gillingham saw three separate bookings for dissent, including substitute Danielle Carlton, defender Lauren Williams and midfielder Tune.
Portsmouth were good value for their victory and defeat leaves the Gills finishing in 5th place for the season, with the Kent Cup still up for grabs in three weeks time.
Full Time 1-2
Gills: Baker, Williams, Cooper, Jones, Taylor (Carlton, 45), Tune, Blackie (Hardaker, 86), Smith, Ashton-Jones, Crinean, Phillips (Massey, 60)
Subs not used: Stephens, Pepper.
Match report by Megan Sumner
Picture by Julian Hart Photography