Gravesham Girls got the Kent domestic “Cup Final Season” underway by winning the Under 14s Girls Cup Final in an enjoyable contest against a Real Gima side who gave the favourites a real fright.

But in the end with Player of the Match Holly Martin coming into her own, particularly in the second half, Gravesham were still fortunate perhaps that two of their strikes took horrible unsaveable deflections.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable contest and a real advert for the Ladies / Girls game here in the County.

If Hunter was the star of the second half, then Gima’s Beyonce McKenna was the undoubted first half starlet, hitting notes that Gravesham just couldn’t live with, as she burst past a challenge on halfway before scoring magnificently from 20 yards into the bottom corner of the Gravesham net.

It was a lead that was to last just eight minutes as Gravesham quickly recovered their composure and Jade Fawcett headed a long Alicia Stanley throw through the hands of keeper Elle-Mae Bell-Stanton to level things up.

Back came Gima though to lead at the break. Another long throw wasn’t dealt with and after a stunning touch from Miya Kumar, McKenna drove the ball high into the net to put Gima back in front.

The second half was to belong to Martin and the Gravesham girls as they came out of the blocks almost immediately after the break as Martin levelled with a drive through a sea of legs before some of the spectators had retaken their positions.

Now level, Gravesham were soon in front as Maisie Parnell’s ball into the box cannoned off of the shoulders of a defender again leaving the keeper helpless.

Rocked at this point, full credit to Gima as they reponded and Charlotte Marsh-Williams was denied by a great save by keeper Keisha Lemar low to her right.

But it wasn’t to be Gima’s day as Fawcett crossed for Martin who was denied by another great save from keeper Bell-Stanton.

It only denied the inevitable, as Freja Askew took advantage of a defensive mistake to race away in the dying seconds to seal the trophy for a very happy manager Scott Martin.

“What a brilliant Cup Final,” he told KSN afterwards. “I think that they caught us cold in the first half with their number 15 (McKenna), she was absolutely brilliant and we couldn’t cope with her at times.”

“We made a couple of changes at the break, and went on to deservedly win the Cup – the first goal in the second half was always going to be crucial and I’m so happy we got it and went on to win against a very good side, with the trophy!”

Gima boss Rob Boyce was equally full of praise for his players. After the game, he too spoke to KSN.

“How can I be disappointed with any of my girls after any of that – they were terrific and left everything they had out on the pitch.”

“”We’ve been looking ahead to this ever since we qualified! Look, Gravesham play a League higher than we do and are used to playing 40 minutes each week where we only play 35 and so it was a big ask…  but how can I possibly be disappointed when they gave me so much…”

REAL GIMA – Ella-Mae Bell-Stanton, Olivia Marsh Williams, Bethany Horton, Amelia Pomphrett, Hannah Styles, Miya Kumar, Lauren Lynds, Tobechi Divine, Beyoncé McKenna,

Subs – Megan Whale, Amy Drake, Charlotte Marsh-Williams

GRAVESHAM GIRLS – Keisha Lemar, Maisie Parnell, Imogen  Saunders, Hollie Chapell, Freja Askew, Alicia Stanley, Abby Hancock, Jade Fawcett, Holly Martin.

Subs – Enya Joseph, Reah Sall, Lauren Thrussell

Referee – Aimee Kier
Assistants – Shanon Martin & Laura Howard
Fourth Official – Tia Walby

 

Pictures supplied by www.psp-images.co.uk