Features, Ian Varley
Varley: We deserved a draw
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on July 30, 2010
Ian Varley was delighted with his side’s performance last night against Millwall despite slipping to a narrow defeat.
The game gave the manager the chance to look at his side against some top quality opposition and he was pleased with what he saw.
Talking after the final whistle, Ian said: “Millwall are a good team and it is good for us to play teams at that level in order to test us.
“At times they passed us off the park but we stuck to it and gradually got a foothold in the game. At the end of the day we’ve only lost to a set piece and if you look at the chances overall we probably deserved a draw.
“In all honesty they lacked a cutting edge up front which surprised me a little but having said that we managed their forward players well after a few early scares. I thought Rach and Sian were excellent together when they came on.”
Last night saw two former Millwall players play against their former club for the first time and Ian was delighted to see Stacey McConville and Laura Jeffery do well.
He added: “I thought both players were fantastic considering there coming back from injuries. Stacey had a really assured game and offers us real balance when she plays left back.
“That was Laura’s first game for a year and in the ten minutes she was on she caused them numerous problems and she would be the first to admit that she probably should have scored. Both girls have settled in really well so I am delighted with them.”
It was a tough game for the Gills but there were plenty of positives and also negatives for Ian to take from the game.
He said: “In the second half especially there were a lot of positives and like I said to the girls, there are the games where I’ll find out more about them as they are playing quality opposition. I thought Lauren Williams was excellent again she’s great at defending one on one and also offers us a lot going forward which is great to have in a full back.
“Farms again was excellent and there were some other really good performances. Ash was really unlucky not to score but again caused them numerous problems, overall I am quite pleased.
“Again it has thrown up a few things I am not happy with. Some of this is to do with personnel and other stuff we can sort out on the training ground. It is my job to sort it out and that’s what pre-season is about.”