Features

The Season that was … Part Four

Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on June 19, 2011

In the final part of the season that was we take a look back at the games that ultimately shaped the Gills survial in the Southern Premiership.

After three weeks on the road it was back home for the Gills next game as Colchester United came to Martin Grove.

They left with all three points as Zoe Rushen gave Colchester the lead just after half time before Emily Heaslip put them further ahead late on, when the Ladies were pushing for an equaliser.

Portsmouth Ladies were next up for the Ladies down in Portsmouth and despite a great performance they were to leave empty handed again.

The Gills could have taken the lead in the 11th minute when Lauren Phillips was upended in the area, but Danni Farmer’s penalty smashed off the cross bar.

It was Portsmouth however who took the lead through a bit of quality. Justine Lorton picked the ball up twenty yards out and lifted it over Katie Duffy.

They went further ahead just before half time when Leah Jones was adjudged to have handled in the area, it looked really harsh. The referee pointed to the spot and it was duly dispatched despite the efforts of Katie Duffy.

Just after half time it was 3-0 when another ball into the Gills box wasn’t dealt with and Portsmouth managed to fire home.

The Gills then took the game to their opponents and got back on the score sheet, Leah Jones crossed into the area, it was headed on by Deanna Cooper and eventually headed into the net by Danni Farmer. However, the Gills couldn’t go on and convert any of the further chances they had to get back into the game.

The Ladies proved they were no fools at the beginning of April when they travelled to Brighton Ladies for their final away game of the season.

Both Gills goals that sealed the three points came in the final ten minutes of the game, first Danni Farmer headed home a Leah Jones corner. Then Laura Jeffery rifled a shot from 35 yards into the roof of the net which almost took the keeper with it.

The points meant that survival in the Southern Premier League was in their own hands going into their final three home games of the season.

With Cardiff City the first of three visitors to Martin Grove the Ladies needed a point to ensure survival. It turned out that it would be a nail biting end to the season for the Ladies.

A first half wonder strike from Sophie Ingle set Cardiff on their way and the three points ensured they were taken back to Wales in the second half.

Nicola Cousins made it 2-0 in the 68th minute before Amie Lea put the icing on the cake and ensured there was no way back for the Ladies in the 82nd minute.

Next up was the local ish derby with Charlton Ladies who were looking to gain promotion to the National Premiership.

It was the Gills who took the lead when a Lauren Phillips cross was headed into her own net by Kim Dixson with Danni Farmer lurking.

Shortly before half time and the Addicks were back on level terms when a long ball over the top set Gemma Bryan away and she fired home.

Kim Dixson atoned for her earlier error when she headed Charlton into the lead from a Fliss Gibbons cross.

With 15 minutes left Charlton sealed the deal when Stef Simmons crossed for Gemma Bryan, who controlled the ball excellently before firing into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

It was all to come down to West Ham at home on the final evening of the season with the Ladies needing a point to stay up.

It wasn’t to be as the Gills slipped to a two-nil defeat thanks to two second half strikes the first from Carly Roache and the second from Nina Downham.

The Gills had a nervous wait to see if they had made the play-offs and would have a second bite at the cherry at staying up and thanks to Portsmouth beating Yeovil they did.

In what was an all or nothing game the Gills took on Havant who beat Norwich for the right to play the Gills.

It was not a pretty game of football from the off as the Gills couldn’t quite finish any of the three chances Lauren Phillips had and numerous other half chances.

It took a moment of quality from Danni Farmer to break the deadlock and she did it in style picking the ball up and firing into the top corner from around thirty yards.

After a nervy ending in which Katie Duffy was forced into making a great save from a Havant corner the final whistle blew and the Gills knew they would be in the Southern Premiership for a historic second season.