Club News
The season that was – Part Three
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on June 24, 2010
In the final part of the season that was we take a look back at March, April and May which turned out to be the most successful months in the clubs history.
The Kent Cup quarter final finally took place in March and Ashford may have wished that it hadn’t when they were on the end of a 15-1 hiding. Ten of the goals came from the impressive front two of Ashlee Hincks and Natalie Crinean who hit an impressive five goals each. Danni Farmer hit a brace and there were goals for Ashton-Jones, Laura East and a first goal for Anelle Massey.
It was back to cup action the following week as Enfield Town were next up in the semi-final of the League Cup, and for the third time in the season to date the Gills beat their opponents. Vicky Ashton-Jones netted twice and Ashlee Hincks and Danni Farmer also netted a goal each as the Gills made the League Cup final.
Just a week later and the Gills were trying to make their first Kent Cup final in nine years as they took on Dartford in the semi-final. Once again there was a golf in class between the two sides and despite a valiant effort from Dartford the Gills made it comfortably through to the final. The score line was an impressive 8-0 with goals from Danni Farmer, who hit a hat trick that included a well taken penalty. There were also braces for Ashlee Hincks and Vicky Ashton-Jones and a first, first team goal for Charlotte Abbott, as the Gills moved into their second final of the season.
The Gills then took on Enfield for the fourth time in the season, and it was no wonder that it was a tight affair. Both sides had three games to figure out how they play and that is just what happened. It looked as though they had cancelled each other out and the game was heading for a draw when a rare Jodie Mugford goal saw the Gills take all three points home.
The Gills headed to Northampton and came away with a creditable draw against a battling Cobblers side that really didn’t want to lose against the Gills for a second time. What the Ladies didn’t know was this was about the start of a dodgy patch. The Goals on the afternoon came from Natalie Crinean and Ashlee Hincks.
The Kent Cup Final was up next for the Gills as they took on Millwall as they fought to bring the Kent Cup back to Kent. The final got off to a bad start as Ashlee Hincks had to come off with a broken arm after just ten seconds. They rallied however and with the game drawing to a close inspirational Captain Becky Lyon poked home a Danni Farmer to cue scenes of mass celebration. It was the first time the Gills had won the Kent Cup in nine years and fitting that Lyon one of just two surviving members of the last Gills team to win it scored the winner.
Still on a high after their victory in the Kent Cup the Ladies headed to Ipswich and went behind as they started somewhat sluggishly. They soon rallied in the second half and an impressive display saw them come away with all three points as they marched towards the title thanks to goals from Deanna Cooper, an own goal and Charlotte Abbott who put the game beyond any doubt.
They headed to Spurs knowing that victory would seal the League title but it didn’t quite go according to plan. The pressure of getting over the line clearly showed on the Gills as they lost their second League game of the season 2-0.
Norwich were the visitors to Martin Grove for the penultimate home game of the season and as it turns out the game that sealed the title. In true Gills style they did it the hard way having gone ahead early on through Danni Farmer, it looked as though they were going to cruise the game. It didn’t happen that way though; it took until mid way through the second half for a stunning Amy Russ strike to all but seal the title. This only set about a Norwich fight back as they scored twice to equalise late on as the pressure showed on the Gills.
Yet as they held on at the final whistle the relief and celebrations began to show as the Ladies celebrated a remarkable achievement in winning the South East Combination Women’s League.
Ebbsfleet arrived for the Gills final home game of the season in what was a game that had a party atmosphere attached to it. At the end of an easy 2-0 victory with a brace from Danni Farmer the Gills were presented with the League Trophy and celebrated with the obligatory champagne cork popping.
The Gills then had the chance to win a historic treble when they played Norwich in the League Cup final. It was a case of one game to far for the Ladies as they lost 2-0 to a determined Norwich side who gave the game their all and deservedly won the League Cup.
The season came to a close with one final away trip to Norwich and it was a welcome return for Ashlee Hincks from injury. It also proved a master stroke for manager Ian Varley as she scored an absolute world class game to win the game and secure a 1-0 victory for the Gills. As they rounded off their League season with yet another victory.
The Gills in their most successful season ever lost just four times, twice in the cup and twice in the League with two draws and twenty-three victories in all competitions. Not a bad set of results for a team that had the season before won three games all season and were also thought to be relegation candidates before last season kicked off.
Now we move on to the Gills first season in the Southern Premiership and what will be another amazing season for the club.