Aaron Perry, Features

Perry: It was fantastic

Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on April 15, 2011

Reserve team manager Aaron Perry saw his side come from behind in the Women’s Plate final to win 7-1 on Thursday evening.

Aaron was delighted for his side that have had their most successful season ever to finish the season in style by completing the double.

Speaking before the celebrations got under way, he said: “It is absolutely brilliant and it is a fantastic night and a fantastic season and a great way to end it.

“We had a bit of a shaky start but it was expected to be fair as the girls are so young, we met before the game and the nerves were flying all over the place, and as I say we were shaky to start.

“In the end it was absolutely brilliant and the quality was unbelievable from the team in the end that we deserved the win.”

The Reserves didn’t expect to concede so early in the game but they were prepared for Long Lane to attack early on.

He added: “It wasn’t in the game plan that they were going to score obviously and not that early. They did score early and they were good for the first five or ten minutes and they got at us and got in behind us and caused us problems.”

The goal in the end may have done the Reserves a favour as they started to play the football that they have played all season, something Aaron agrees with.

He said: “We started slowly and we needed something just to get going and nerves probably played a massive part in it. We had a good word at half time and in the second half the girls were absolutely brilliant and we deserved it.”

Fitness may have played a massive part in the game later on and with the substitutions that Aaron made with Temi and Amy Russ scoring twice apiece.

He added: “It just proves what a good squad we have and the girls have been exceptional all season and the fitness levels were brilliant tonight. The difference in the end was literally the fitness and the quality of both parts of our game.

“I am delighted with the subs, the side we had out tonight was probably the strongest that we have had all season. It is an absolute credit to everyone here and it proves just how far we have come. When I arrived I inherited a good team and we added a few to it and tonight was a real credit to everyone involved with Gillingham Ladies.

“It has been a massive season for us and to win anything in your first season is a massive achievement but to win the League, which is a good League and to finish it off by winning the Plate is even better. I am delighted for everyone.”