Gillingham Ladies’ Kent FA Women’s Cup run came to an end, falling to defeat against London Kent Football United Ladies at St Paul’s Academy on Sunday afternoon.
Looking to make the Final for an impressive seventh time in eight years, Gillingham Ladies’ manager Jack Wheeler named only two changes to the starting eleven from the previous weeks league game against Crystal Palace. Bethany Nugent and Aileen Williams replacing Kallie Balfour and Harriet Clark.
Gillingham Ladies were the first side to try an effort on goal, Aileen Williams shot was straight at Jade Charlton in the London goal.
In the seventh minute London took the lead, the referee awarding a spot kick for an infringement on Laura Susaerta that started outside the area and into the box. London captain Adele Keech stepped up and as Courtney Shanly dived to the right, a powerful strike down the middle gave London an early lead. 1-0
Twenty minutes into the game came Gills best chance so far, Sharna Giordani broke into the penalty area and forced Charlton into action. The keeper diving low to block Giordani’s effort.
Giordani’s persistence would pay off nine minutes before the interval. Netting from close range after Gills pressure gifted the opportunity to score the equaliser. 1-1
Gills tried to find an advantage before the break but each side would muster only a single chance before the break. London’s Issy Michaelski testing Shanly but the shot was straight at the Gills keeper. Just as the whistle approached, Katie Flack’s shot on the edge of the penalty area was dealt with by London’s goalkeeper Jade Charlton.
HALF TIME | London Kent Football United Ladies 1 (Keech P 7′) Gillingham Ladies 1 (Giordani 36′)
After the half time break Gillingham came out on the attack, Aileen Williams trying an effort early on but was saved by Charlton.
With the momentum Gills pressed forward again, Bethany Nugent sent a shot over the crossbar after clever passing between Clark and Giordani set Nugent up.
Just after the hour mark, London Kent Football United regained the lead. A cross from the left wing found Susaerta on the edge of the six yard box to place a glancing header past Shanly into the net. 2-1
Gills pushed to find an second equaliser, Jade Keogh tried her luck from range but looped the shot wide of the post.
Second half substitute Natalie Crinean caused nuisance in the London defence and could have been awarded a spot kick for her troubles. Inside of the area, as Crinean controlled a pass forward, was sent tumbling over by the London Kent Football United defender. The referee waived away the appeals.
As the game ticked on London found the better chances of the closing ten minutes, firstly Shanly’s acrobatics denied Alicia Gibbs by tipping a shot over the crossbar. Elizabeth Adams and Adele Keech blazed shots over the bar.
As the final whistle blew, Gills Ladies Kent FA Women’s Cup run for the season is over. London Kent Football United progress to face Kent Football United in the final.
FULL TIME | London Kent Football United Ladies 2 (Keech P 7′, Susaerta 62′) Gillingham Ladies 1 (Giordani 36′)
London Kent Football United Ladies: Jade Charlton, Issy Michaelski, Megan Mansfield, Hayley Mansfield, Verity Snow, Adele Keech, Elizabeth Adams, Alicia Gibbs, Laura Susaeta, Emily Hart, Danielle Harrison
Gillingham Ladies: Courtney Shanly, Lotti Klatt, Emily Symonds, Millie Waud, Charlie Thurston, Grace Seely (Harriet Clark 20′), Katie Flack, Jade Keogh, Aileen Williams, Sharna Giordani, Bethany Nugent (Natalie Crimean 58′)
Gillingham Ladies Unused Subs: Davies
Pictures supplied by Kent Pro Images