Gillingham Ladies beat their male counterparts to the first bit of silverware for the season, winning the Kent FA Women’s Cup Final.

In the pouring rain at Sevenoaks Football Club, it was The Gills that were to defend the title they won twelve months ago, beating a spirited Charlton women’s side in attrocious conditions.

It was Charlton that had the better of the opening exhanges and it was they that took the lead through Harley Bennett as she curled a long range strike past the fingertips of Gills keeper Charlotte Stephens.

On the stroke of half time, Gills Ladies were level as Amy Taylor was in the right place at the right time to turn home Danielle Carlton’s pinpoint cross.

As the weather continued to worsen, chances went begging for both sides, but it was a wonder strike from Jade Keogh that was to settle the game as she cut in from the left before curling a shot past Charlton keeper Kelly Cooper and into the top corner.

It was a goal to have won any game and it proved to have been enough for a Gillingham side that rode their luck in the final fifteen minutes as Charlton went close on more than one occasion.

With the rain still lashing down, the Gills Ladies were presented with the cup, much to the delight of their fans, with a good crowd having turned out to support both of the teams.

FULL TIME: GILLS LADIES 2-1 CHARLTON WOMEN

Gillingham line up: Charlotte Stephens, Lauren Williams, Emma Wood, Jay Blackie, Rachel Ahern, Vicky Ashton-Jones, Natalie Crinean(c) (Deanna Cooper), Emma Tune, Amy Taylor (Nicole Pepper), Danielle Carlton, Jade Keogh.

Subs not used: Danielle Farmer, Kallie Balfour, Ruth Jackson.

Charlton line up: Kelly Cooper, Louise Duffy, Stef Simmons, Alice Singyard, Attena Yennaris (c), Harley Bennet, Katie Hardaker (Gemma Shepherd), Liz Ejupi, Kylie Manktelow, Annabel Prior (Megan Chandler), Jenny Neman.

Subs not used: Courtney Shanly, Emily Symonds, Gemma Hyland.

Player of the match: Jade Keogh

Attendance: 371

Pictures supplied by Julian Hart Photography