Gillingham Ladies have made the FA Women’s National League Plate final after a 1-0 win over Midland’s Division One side West From Albion Women.

On a rainy and windy afternoon at Meridian Sports and Social Club, a well hit strike from Chloe Fowler was enough to separate the sides.

Jack Wheeler made two changes to his starting eleven from the previous week in the league against Oxford United. Alice Bussey and Maddison Farrand came in for Breon Grant and Danni Farmer.

With rain and windy conditions setting in for the afternoon, the game began with both sides tentatively adjusting to the matches’ surroundings. West Brom had the games earliest chance, Keeley Davies turned a shot wide of the far post for the visitors.

Gills immediately turned to counter that attack, Grace Seely was fouled on the edge of the area and Gills had a free kick in a dangerous area. Maddison Farrand lined up to shoot but her effort was blocked by the West Brom wall.

Ten minutes in a West Brom took control of the game in the blustery conditions, Gabbie Reid saw a low shot whizz past the post. The West Brom forward then capitalised on a short back pass, very nearly opening the scoring, when blocking Shanly’s clearance the ball looped over the keeper and hit the top of the crossbar.

The woodwork would also be West Brom’s savour just three minutes later. Bethany Powell found the space to get in a shot from the edge of the area. The full backs effort dipped but not quite enough and it sprung back off the crossbar. West Brom were able to clear the danger.

Both sides remained cautious going into the break, not wanting to give away any chances to the other side.

HALF TIME | GILLINGHAM LADIES 0 WEST BROM ALBION WOMEN 0 

After the half time interval, Gills came out the stronger side. Lauren George forcing Scarlett Field into action after cutting in from the left hand wing, just three minutes into the second half.

It took just a minute after that attempt to break the deadlock. Chloe Fowler picked up the ball on the edge of the area and rifled in a strike past Field in the WBA goal. 1-0

As the clock ticked towards the hour mark, Farrand was unlucky not to double the Gills lead. Seely bust into the box and a square ball set up the forward, Farrand played a low shot but was saved by Field.

As time ticked on, Gills looked to play the game out with the score in their control. A tense last ten minutes saw an even share of possession between the sides. As the referee blew his whistle a narrow one goal victory sealed the Gills a place in the FA Women’s National League Plate. They will face Milton Keynes Dons Ladies after their victory over Liverpool Feds in the other Semi Final.

FULL TIME | GILLINGHAM LADIES 1 (FOWLER 49′) WEST BROM ALBION WOMEN 0

Gillingham Ladies: Courtney Shanly, Bethany Powell, Vicky Ashton-Jones (c), Lydia Huntley, Ellie Manning, Daisy Monaghan, Grace Seely, Chloe Fowler, Alice Bussey (Sharna Giordani 89′), Maddison Farrand (Rachel Ahern 90′), Lauren George (Breon Grant 67′)

Unused Subs; Mille Waud, Danni Farmer

West Brom Albion Women: Scarlett Field, Bethany Jewitt, Hannah George (c), Fran Orthodoxou, Ria Elsmore, Imogen Sinclair, Natalie Murray, Keeley Davies, Gabbie Reid, Laura Davies, Rachael Howard

West Brom Subs: Niamh Johnston, Hannah Price, Jessica Davies, Harriet James