Reserves

Gillingham Reserves 7-0 Anchorians Reserves

Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on October 21, 2009

Gillingham Ladies remain unbeaten this season as they despatched Anchorians Reserves 7-0 this weekend at Martin Grove.

Two first half goals from Lauren Harris, Leanne Stevens and an own goal from Olivia Brooker meant at half time they were 4-0 up.

In the second half Kirsty Goodall’s goal was sandwiched in between two further goals from Leanne Stevens as she bagged her first ever hat trick.

Manager Sean Edwards juggled his pack from the start with Lauren Harris starting in place of Hannah Corrall and Sammy Lester made her full debut at centre half alongside Terri Reynolds.

The Gills were up for the game from the off but much of the opening stages was about establishing dominance in the midfield. Leanne Stevens and Charlotte Thurston did not allow the Anchorians midfield any time on the ball.

The Gills first chance came in the fifth minute when Lauren Harris was fouled; Leanne Stevens stepped up and had her first effort on goal. On this occasion her free kick went just over the cross bar but it was a sign of things to come from the Gills.

The Anchorians only shot of the first half came in the eighth minute when Millie Gravestock broke through on goal but she dragged her shot wide.

The Gills took the lead in the 11th minute when good work by Annelle Massey as she played in Lauren Harris and she slotted home from close range to make it 1-0.

Just two minutes later and Harris nearly made it 2-0; she was fed in by Kerrie Scott who did well down the left wing, and however Harris’ shot was straight at the Anchorians goalkeeper.

In the 17th minute Kim Bolden found Kirsty Goodall on the right hand side, she cut into the area and beat the keeper and the far post as well.

In the 25th minute Terri Reynolds lost the ball to Jacqueline Wilson but her shot was tame and Jessica Nunn made a comfortable save.

In the 27th minute Leanne Stevens scored her first goal of the game with a sublime 30 yard free kick that left the keeper with no chance. The ref awarded the free kick after Chloe Jamieson was fouled and Stevens stepped up and made no mistake with a pin point effort.

The Gills were really in their stride now and Stevens was driving the team forward. It was she with the assist on the half hour mark as the Gills went 3-0 up. Good work down the left hand side saw the Gills win a corner. Stevens stepped up and swung a dangerous ball across the box, the last touch coming off of Olivia Brooker and into the net for an own goal.

With half time approaching Leanne Stevens swung in yet another corner and Lauren Harris gambled at the near post to head home. It was the second goal of the game for the striker who led the line well at Martin Grove.
 
Half Time 4-0
 
The second half began with a bizarre tactical change by Anchorians; Karman Wu who had been playing up front replaced Alice Cockerill in goal, who moved up front.

This did not stop the Gills onslaught as they came forward in waves looking to add to their goal tally for the season.

The first effort of the second half fell to Jacqueline Wilson of Anchorians but her shot did not trouble the every impressive Jessica Nunn in the Gills goal.

No sooner had Nunn released the ball the Gills were on the attack again when Kerrie Scott bombed down the left wing. She crossed for Lauren Harris and her shot was straight at the keeper who flapped at it but made the save.

Anchorians thought they had scored in the 49th minute; they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. The free kick was taken by Olivia Brooker and she nestled her shot in the top corner, it was ruled out as it was an indirect free kick.

It was 5-0 in the 55th minute when Lauren Harris was fouled. Leanne Stevens once again stepped up and found the back of the net from 20 yards to bag her second goal of the game.

Just four minutes later and the Gills made it 6-0 when Kirsty Goodall broke down the right wing and cut inside. She hit her shot across the face of the goal and into the far corner.

Just after the hour mark and Anchorians had one of their only efforts of the second half. Millie Gravestock broke down the right wing cut inside but hit her shot straight at Jessica Nunn.

The closing stages saw the Gills continue to dominate but the game become slightly disrupted by the ensuing substitutions.

With just five minutes left on the clock Charlotte Thurston hit a shot from distance that went just wide of the far post as the Gills pushed for a seventh goal.

That goal came in the 88th minute when Leanne Stevens took the ball on her chest and from fully 35 yards volleyed straight into the top corner. It was a superb goal to round off a superb performance by the Gills Ladies Reserve side.

Girl of the Match: Leanne Stevens

Gills: Jessica Nunn, Kim Bolden (c), Kerrie Scott, Terri Reynolds, Sammy Lester, Charlotte Thurston, Kirsty Goodall (Chloe Phillips, 75), Leanne Stevens, Lauren Harris (Gemma Ridge, 75), Annelle Massey (Hannah Corrall, 66), Chloe Jamieson