Bolden's Blog
Bolden’s Blog: Back in business in 2010!
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on January 24, 2010
After 8 weeks of cancelled games, the reserves faced Gravesham away in the League Cup after rearranging 3 times. Although the squad have all been training hard indoors over Christmas, everyone started off a little shakey, with Gravesham pushing on quite early, although Gills held strong each time.
Gills then began to reply with some good passing through midfield from Leanne Stevens and Amy Russ, allowing a few wayward shots at the Gravesham goal. Kylie Overton broke the deadlock with some strong individual skill allowing her to set herself with a cross-goal shot landing nicely in the top corner. Gravesham continued to press the Gills goal, using the downhill slope to their advantage with several long balls causing a stir in the Gills box. At half-time the Gills went in 1-0 up, with several coaching points to be made by manager Sean.
The second half started with a much more promising attitude with Annelle Massey scoring a deflected shot just a few passes after kick-off, which really showed off the teams passing strength. A livened Gills created several shooting opportunities for Amy Russ and Hannah Corrall, who was then chosen to make way for another team youngster Chloe Phillips. Gills gave Gravesham a chance to fight back after conceding a penalty after a long battle to win the ball back. Gravesham slotted the ball into the left corner, just out of reach of keeper Jess Nunn, who has been consistently strong in the Gillingham goal. Just a few minutes later, Sammy Lester scored a fantastic header from a Leanne Stevens corner, to make it 3-1 against her old club.
Lauren Harris, who spent much of the game battling hard for the team, putting in good crosses and challenges, made way for Kirsty Goodall to take her place out on the right wing. Annelle Massey then also made way for Gemma Ridge, who made an immediate impact on the game with several pressing runs along the left hand wing, hitting the post in one effort, and finally reaping the rewards of her determination with a goal from an identical position to her first effort, slotted nicely across the keeper into the bottom right hand corner. Kirsty Goodall kept the Gravesham left back busy with some darting runs, but the final score remained 4-1 Gills.
The girls face Castle Colts in the league next week at home.
Mini Gills have only been back in training for one week, and so not much to report for them yet, looking forward to our next game, Oxford away next weekend.