Gillingham Ladies exit the FA Women’s Premier League Plate at Round One, as Luton Town Ladies recorded a 4-3 victory over the Gills at Chatham Town FC on Sunday afternoon.

Gills Ladies manager Jack Wheeler made multiple changes to the side compared the previous weeks league fixture. Giving the opportunities for the younger members of the squad to experience first team minutes, along with new signings Kylie Manktelow making her debut.

Luton forced the games first opportunities in the opening minutes when Lucy Webster first tried an effort which looped over the top of the crossbar. Steph Gale then forced Gills keeper Courtney Shanly into action, making a low diving save to push the shot for a corner.

Gillingham replied when Kylie Manktelow broke forward and her shot on goal was stopped by Angelika Kopec.

Luton broke the deadlock early in the game, with just twelve minutes on the clock. From a corner kick, Nicole Henman turned in the delivery into the penalty area past Shanly. 0-1

Luton nearly added to their lead before the break when Steph Gale send a shot narrowly over the crossbar.

HALF TIME: GILLINGHAM LADIES 0 LUTON TOWN LADIES 1 (HENMAN 12′)

After the restart Gills started the half brightly, Jenny Newman set up Manktelow to try her luck from the edge of the box. The shot went high over the target.

Jade Keogh was next to test the Luton defence, after smartly finding space for a shot, Keogh’s effort from range narrowly missed the left hand post.

Gills were handed a way back into the tie when Sharna Giordani was bundled over when she broke inside of the box. The referee pointed straight to the spot to award the penalty. Danni Farmer stepped up and placed the kick into the bottom left corner. 1-1

After the equaliser, Luton had the clearer chance to win the tie in normal time. Jess McKay sent a shot high over the Gills crossbar.

FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM LADIES 1 (FARMER 70′) LUTON TOWN LADIES 1 (HENMAN 12′)

As the game headed into extra time, the visitors from the division below took a commanding lead with two quick goals.

Six minutes into extra time, Nicole Henman grabbed her second of the game. A low strike found the bottom corner beyond the reach of a diving Courtney Shanly. 1-2

Luton extended their lead five minutes later when Jess McKay latched onto a lose ball and sent a powerful shot past Shanly and into the far side netting. 1-3

Gills pressed for a way back into the game, pushing forward a cross found Jenny Newman and her initial shot was saved. Erica Byron’s goal line sliced clearance ended in the back of the net. 2-3

Two minutes later Gills managed to pull level, Kylie Manktelow went one on one with the keeper and cooly slotted past Angelika Kopec to grab a goal on her debut. 3-3

Joy was short lived and Luton restored the lead four minutes later. Nicole Henman netted her hat trick with a shot that beat Shanly at the near post. 3-4

FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM LADIES 3 (FARMER 70′, OG 107′, MANKTELOW 109′) LUTON TOWN LADIES 4 (HENMAN 12′ 96′ 112′, McKay 101′)

Gillingham Ladies: Courtney Shanly, Faith Cooper-Cullen, Millie Waud, Danni Farmer, Lotti Klatt, Yasmin Poole, Jade Keogh, Aileen Williams (Bethany Nugent 51′), Jenny Newman, Sharna Giordani, Kylie Manktelow

Unused Subs: Cara Davies, Rachel Ahern

Luton Town Ladies: Angelika Kopec, Rachel Kosky, Lucy Webster, Jess McKay, Amy Summerfield, Nicole Henman, Zara Carroll, Steph Gale, Lisa Nixon, Dionne Manning, Erica Byron

Subs: Jodie Bellinger, Joanne Rutherford, Rebecca Ferris