First Team

Gillingham Ladies 6-0 Cambridge Women

Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on August 16, 2009

Gillingham Ladies kicked off their league campaign in superb form, defeating Cambridge Women by six goals to nil at Lordswood FC.

Ashlee Hincks struck twice in the first ten minutes to effectively seal the win for Gills, as Ian Varley’s side controlled the match from start to finish.

Further goals from Natalie Crinean, Jade Johnson, Vicky Ashton-Jones and a fantastic finish from Danielle Farmer made it a comfortable day as Gillingham managed to surpass the goalscoring heroics of the men’s team in their first home match of the season.

Hincks gave the Gills the perfect start, slotting the first chance of the game coolly into the bottom left corner to put the home side ahead in the first minute.

And Hincks made it 2-0 minutes later with a well-struck effort that left the Cambridge goalkeeper well beaten.

Hincks, who arrived at the club from Watford during the summer, nearly claimed a first-half hat-trick on a number of occasions, with a well-struck free kick whistling wide of goal.

And it took an outstanding save from the Cambridge goalkeeper to deny Hincks a spectacular goal after a superb solo run and strike from 25 yards.

The Gills went in at halftime two goals to the good, but it was clear that the team could, and perhaps should, have scored more goals in the opening 45 minutes.

If manager Ian Varley mentioned this to his players at halftime, he certainly didn’t have to wait long for a response.

Within minutes of the restart, Natalie Crinean won a free kick wide on the right. Hincks swung in a dangerous cross and Farmer attempted an acrobatic volley.

The former Charlton midfielder made contact, but instead of bursting the net, the ball bobbled awkwardly in front of the Cambridge keeper who failed to gather, leaving Crinean with the simplest of tasks to stab home the rebound.

With so many players making their league debut for the Gills, you could be forgiven for thinking the team would look a little disjointed, but in fact the side looked cohesive and well-organised throughout, with the team keeping its shape well during the 90 minutes.

Up front, Natalie Crinean led the line impressively, linking play and giving the likes of Hincks and Farmer room to play.

Hincks had a hand in the fourth, bursting through the Cambridge midfield and releasing Vicky Ashton-Jones, who showed great composure to bend the ball around the outrushing keeper and find the bottom corner.

Along with Hincks, centre midfielder Danielle Farmer was arguably the star performer on the day, showing some great touches and superb vision in the middle of the park.

And she capped off a superb debut with a memorable goal, finding the top corner from 25 yards with a stunning strike.

Substitute Jade Johnson rounded the keeper to make it 6-0 in the final stages and put the gloss on a superb opening day victory.

The crowd of 126 fans was one of the biggest attendances, if not THE biggest attendance, for any women’s league match today – and those fans in attendance would have gone away both entertained and impressed in equal measure.

Gillingham Ladies: Halfpenny, Judd, Lyon (c), Herrett, Kay, Cooper, Mugford, Hincks, Farmer, Crinean, Ashton-Jones

Subs used: Thurston, Johnson, Russ
Subs not used: Tricker, Abbott

Goals: Hincks (2), Crinean,Ashton-Jones, Farmer, Johnson

Attendance: 126