The Reserves managed to gain a point from their home game against Watford this Sunday afternoon, moving them to 5th in the league table one point above West Ham.

Match report by Megan Sumner

Watford had the first chance of the game when a misplaced pass fell to Watford striker Kirsten Walker who had a shot off target.

There were many chances for both teams throughout the game to take home all three points. Kirsty Goodall probably had the best effort for Gillingham, while Watford’s best chance came from Elenor Docaragia with only minutes to go.

Gillingham were made to work hard to keep the score levels, which saw them walk away with two bookings as a result of their efforts.

After 12 minutes Watford had a good chance to break the deadlock when Gillingham’s Livvy McGregor’s misplaced pass gave Watford’s forward, Kirsten Walker, the opportunity to shoot from inside the area which went just wide of the near post into the side netting.

Watford dominated the first 20 minutes of play and created most of the chances to score but failed to hit the target. Renne Hector, who had a number of opportunities, fired a shot well wide from outside the area.

Gillingham began to pick it up half way through the first half and began to look more threatening. Gillingham were awarded a free kick and Alex Witham delivery was met by Kyle Overton with a powerful header that was well saved by the Watford keeper.

Gillingham’s defence showed a gritty determination after the referee awarded a number of free kicks to Watford putting Gillingham’s defence under pressure.

Whitney Judd had arguably the best effort on goal from both sides, when the ball sat up invitingly for her 18 yard out. She let fly with a sweetly struck shot which flew just inches over the cross bar.

Just before half time Watford were awarded a corner which was sent high into the six yard box forcing Gillingham to scramble the ball away to safety.

Half Time 0-0

Only a few minutes into the second half it was Gillingham who had the first attempt and looked as though would have the first goal of the game, as Kirsty Goodall fired a shot from inside the area which flew just over the cross bar.

Moments before the hour mark Watford’s, Katie Knell had a good shot from outside the box which was well saved by Jess Nunn in the Gills goal.

The 74th minute saw the games first booking, as Amy Russ was giving a yellow card for an alleged hand ball. Only moments later Watford came close to a chance, after a few good passes getting them inside the box and keeping Gillingham on their toes, when Sophie Waller then made a hash that saw the shot go wide.

Sure enough, Watford got hold of the ball again, as Katie Knell ran with it, keeping possession past the Gills defence up to the box, until the keeper made the swift decision to dive and snatch it from her feet before she could take a shot.

Reaching the end of the second half, Gillingham were awarded a number of free-kicks, yet, Watford showed a strong defence by managing to keep the ball at the right end of the pitch for them.

With only minutes to go, Watford’s Elenor Docaragia gained possession, raced into the area where she fired a shot straight towards the goal, but  it was well saved by Jess Nunn.

Three minutes extra time saw Gillingham get their second booking, as Whitney Judd was cautioned for decent.

Final Score 0-0

Gills: Nunn, Witham (Merricks, 63), Lynch, Jackson, Bolden (c), Judd, Russ, McGregor, Goodall (Taylor, 73), Temi, Overton.