Gillingham Ladies claimed the Kent Women’s Cup for the third year running with a 3-0 win over Charlton Women.
To be fair this was very much a “mismatch” as Charlton’s reserve side play their football three Division’s below the Gills, and it was a big step that the Gills took to retain the trophy on seven minutes when Charlotte Long laid the ball in for Lisa Fulgence who drove the ball into the roof of the net.
The Gills had a second ruled out shortly after when Nakita Whinnett’s chip found the net only to be ruled out by a flag – not that it stopped Gills as Fulgence doubled the Gills lead on 13 minutes.
Charlotte Gurr did brilliantly to feed the ball through and taking it in her stride Fulgence netted her second and her side’s second from six yards.
Indeed Fulgence was denied her hat trick following the move of the match. Fulgence, Whinnett onto Charlotte Long and in turn back to Fulgence produced a truly stunning block from Charlton keeper Alex Baker.
The Gills responded brilliantly with Whinnett playing in Emma Tune whose lob was just too high.
The second half began as the first with the Gills dominant and Lauren Phillips causing the Charlton defence all the problems now.
Two minutes after the break, Phillips sprinted clear only for Baker to get the slightest of touches from the keeper allowing Katie Hardaker to clear off the line.
Phillips then combined with Tune, but they couldn’t hit the right note as Tune’s header went just too high, before Jade Keogh forced a free kick across the face of goal.
The goal that had been threatened since half time duly arrived just past the half’s midway point as Phillips glanced a header past Baker to effectively seal the trophy.
Whinnett could have made it four late on but slid her shot agonisingly wide from a super cross field pass but that was that and the Gillingham Ladies had retained their trophy.
Warren Clarke, the Charlton coach said after the game, “Gillingham played really good football and kept possession well and we knew that it was going to be difficult.”
“We’re a young team and we tried to set up on the counter and whilst it worked for a while, we couldn’t keep it going!”
“Maximum effort from the girls but it was so hard to carve out any true guilt edged chances.”
“Everyone should be aspiring to get into our first team who of course play at the same level as Gillingham which makes our run to this Final so much more amazing.”
“We were beaten by a better and experienced side tonight, but the girls have over achieved and making this Final was fantastic.”
Gills coach James Marrs was understandably happy.
“I’m delighted that we’ve got the silverware on board, and to retain the Cup is brilliant.”
“We’re top of our League and in the FA Cup Fifth round on Sunday, and tonight we knew that Charlton would be tough – but what a start… Two great goals from Lisa early on – she ran her legs off first half and deserved the rest.”
“We’ll push on from here and fingers crossed.”
FULL TIME: CHARLTON WOMEN 0-3 GILLS LADIES
The Gills Ladies now move on to Sunday’s FA Women’s Cup Fifth Round tie away to Arsenal, whilst Charlton Women are in FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division action away to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Charlton Athletic line up: Alex Baker, Ruby Southgate, Alice Singyard, Leigh Houlihan, Francesca Tye, Clare Rogers, Eliz Ibrahim (Megan Mulholland H/T), Gemma Hyland, Beth Rodgers, Oliva Cole (Issy Hunter 71), Ellie Searle (Katie Hardaker H/T).
Subs not used: Megen Lynch, Chloe Shields.
Gillingham line up: Faye Baker, Lauren Davis (Jade Keogh 55), Fliss Gibbons, Jay Blackie, Amy Taylor, Deanna Cooper, Nikita Whinnett, Emma Tune, Lisa Fulgence (Lauren Phillips H/T), Charlotte Long (Danielle Carlton 72), Charlotte Gurr.
Subs not used: Lauren Williams, Rachel Ahern.
Goals: Lisa Fulgence (8), (14), Lauren Phillips (68).
Referee: Mr Leigh Judd (Tunbridge Wells).
Attendance: 361
Pictures supplied by http://www.julianhartphotography.co.uk/