First Team, Match Reports
Old Actonians 0-6 Gills Ladies
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on July 18, 2010
Gills Ladies got their pre-season campaign off to a flying start this afternoon with a comfortable 6-0 defeat of Old Actonians.
All the extra fitness working during the closed season paid off as the Gills looked sharp from the first whistle.
Deanna Cooper who was impressive throughout netted a first half hat trick, with further strikes from Natalie Crinean, Jodie Mugford and Sian Cheedy.
Ian Varley was always going to give his players 45 minutes and started with a very attacking line up which paid off from the off.
The Gills took the lead inside the first minute when Deanna Cooper intercepted a poor ball before slotting past the keeper.
It took the Gills another 17 minutes to find the net again despite creating a number of chances, but when they did it was a well worked move.
Ash Hincks with a cross and she picked out Natalie Crinean who laid it off for Deanna Cooper to slot home for her second of the game.
Just three minutes later it was 3-0 when Jodie Mugford picked up the ball on the edge of the area. She dispatched her shot with ease into the back of the net.
It was 4-0 on 25 minutes when Ash Hincks with a cross that found Deanna Cooper. Her shot made its way to Natalie Crinean who slotted home the rebound.
The first half was soured when Dan Carlton was taken to hospital with a suspected broken ankle. She went in for a challenge and the opposition player went in studs up and caught her on the ankle. Thankfully for the midfielder she only sustained a bad sprain and shouldn’t miss to much of the pre-season campaign.
Shortly before half time Deanna Cooper got her hat trick. Yet again Ash Hincks with a cross that found Deanna unmarked and she did the rest.
Half Time 5-0
Ian Varley made a number of changes at half time with only 3 players starting both halves. The idea was to get a look at all of the new players and a couple of trialists in competitive action.
The game became disjointed with the number of subs in the second half, as is the way in pre-season friendlies.
It was 6-0 on the hour when Sian Cheedy lobbed the keeper to show a touch of class for a centre half.
Overall it was a good work out for the Gills who had their first run out since beating Norwich on the final day of last season.
It proved to be an easy day for the Gills defence as Old Actonians failed to register a shot on target in the entire game.
Next up for the Ladies is a game against South East Combination side Lewes next Sunday as they prepare for the coming season.
Gills 1st half: Katie Duffy, Lauren Williams, Natalie Farbrace, Kirsty Wilson, Les Kay (c), Laura East, Jodie Mugford, Dan Carlton (Rachel Ahern, 38), Ashlee Hincks, Natalie Crinean, Deanna Cooper
Gills 2nd half: Katie Duffy, Lauren Williams (Deanna Cooper 72) Sian Cheedy, Becky Lyon (c), Stacey McConville, Rachael Ahern, Jen Poole, Amy Russ, Becky Taylor, Lauren Phillips, Ashlee Hincks (Natalie Crinean, 88)