Gillingham Ladies brought the Kent Cup back to its roots with a classy and accomplished 2-0 victory against Charlton Ladies at Greatness Park, Sevenoaks.
Match report by Charlotte Richardson
In difficult weather conditions, the Gills looked comfortable for the win over the 90 minutes and deserved to regain the cup after a year long absence.
Putting any nerves aside, the Gills started well, with a sure and steady opening 10 minutes making clear their message of intent. Battling against Charlton’s packed 5-woman midfield, the Gills fought a tough battle passing the ball effectively and exploiting the width they created in the opening stages.
The first big opportunity of the match fell for the Gills on the counter attack. Kristina Manletow fired over an opportunity for Charlton before they broke away. Natalie Crinean slotted Jay Blackie into the Charlton area but Blackie could only fire wide with the goal at her mercy.
The Gills continued to have the majority of possession and Toni-Ann Wayne remained untested until the 20th minute when she dealt with a slippery shot from Megan Chandler.
Gillingham finally made their possession count scoring their first goal of the evening on the half hour mark. Lauren Phillips provided a pinpoint cross, despatched by Lauren Williams who slotted home at the far post.
Gills had their lead and nearly extended it a few minutes later as Crinean managed to put a shot in from the tightest of angles, but her attempt went wide. Only a minute later she created another chance for herself, seizing on some sleepy Charlton defending to pinch a loose ball. Charlton keeper Alex Baker made herself big and the Gills’ captain failed to round her and get a shot on goal, thanks to some last ditch defending.
Gemma Bryan was working tirelessly upfront to spark some attacking flare in Charlton’s 4-5-1 set up, a fine solo run tested the Gills’ defence but her shot flew over. The first half petered out with the battle in midfield proving to be a crucial factor in determining attacking play.
After the break it was Charlton who began to dominate more in midfield, picking up second balls searching for the long pass to Bryan. But real opportunities failed to materialize as the Gills defence stood strong, dealing well with the combination of Charlton’s pace and use of the long ball. It was a free kick that saw Charlton break through to test Wayne. Bryan swung a stinging free kick into the box, Wayne determinedly taking two attempts to deal with it.
Back on the attack, two free kicks came in short succession for the girls, both deliveries superb but the Gills failed to capitalise. Charlton nearly secured an equalizer when a short, sharp pass was negotiated through the Gills’ defence but, back on the counter attack, the Gills showed the clinical finishing the Addicks had lacked just moments before. On the 75th minute Anelle Massey tucked a beautiful pass into the path of Laura East who galloped forward before calmly slotting the ball around Baker. 2-0 to the Gills and it would now take a lot for the Addicks to come back into the match.
But they were nearly gifted their chance just five minutes later, as a clumsy challenge from the otherwise immaculate left back, Danielle Carlton, brought down Kristina Mankeltow in a heap. A silly challenge on the edge of the area, as the referee pointed to the spot, the atmosphere around Greatness Park intensified and fans held their breath as Bryan stepped up. And then a moment of greatness from Wayne who stretched out to her left to par Bryan’s attempt. Her agility proved crucial as she reacted quickly, superbly blocking the follow up from close range.
Gillingham gained a monumental lift from the penalty save, as heavy legs in heavy rain kept going, chasing loose balls and withstanding heavy tackles. Charlton worked valiantly to keep their hopes alive but Massey nearly got herself on the score sheet after pressuring Charlton captain Athena Yennaris into making a mistake on the edge of the box the defender recovering well however to avert danger.
Charlton continued to plug away looking to unlock the tight Gills defence, supported throughout the game from a solid midfield four outfit and two forwards disciplined in their defensive duties. Ellie Stenning made some energetic runs from midfield but Charlton lacked that final pass to cause Gillingham real concern. Jade Keogh got some joy turning a Gills’ defender skilfully to get a shot on target, but it lacked the power to trouble Wayne.
In the final stages of the match, both teams maintained the intensity despite the grim weather that had persisted throughout. After 90 minutes of continual concentration and commitment, both defences began to tire and opportunities to break increased as passes that had previously been cut out managed to get through. But the score remained the same and, as the referee’s final whistle blew, it signified the perfect end to yet another season of rewarding improvement for Gillingham Ladies’ Football Club.
The Kent Cup now safely back in their hands, there is no stopping the Gills ladies and their ambition for ongoing success next season.
I wouldn’t miss it if I were you.
Gills: Wayne, Williams, Ashton-Jones (Taylor, 46), Jones (Hardaker, 81), Carlton, Tune, Blackie, Crinean, Phillips, Smith (Massey, 63), East
Subs not used: Stephens
Charlton: Baker, Singyard, Flack, Yennaris, Patel, Chandler, Long, Dixson, Bryan, Duffy, Mankeltow
Subs: Keogh, Stenning, Graham, Lynch
Picture by Julian Hart Photography