Features
The Season so far…Part Four
Published by Gillingham Ladies Media on January 2, 2012
In the final part of the season so far we take a look back at the games leading up to the annual Christmas break.
The Ladies had a break from the League on the 20th November when they played London Corinthians in the first round of the Kent Cup. The game finished 7-0 to the Ladies with a well taken hat trick from on fire striker Natalie Crinean; she made it five goals in three games for her personally. There was also a goal apiece for Lauren Phillips, Katie Hardaker, Charlotte Abbott and a first goal in the Gills colours for Emma Tune. They now face Anchorians in the next round of the Cup the weekend before Christmas.
The Gills rounded off the month with another well taken three points in a 2-1 home win against Keynsham Ladies. Once again they got off to a flying start in a League game taking the lead inside the first two minutes through an own goal after another good move from the Ladies. Just before half time Suzanne Grant chipped Sarah Quantrill to equalise and send the sides in level at half time. Vicky Ashton-Jones scored the winning goal in the second half, when from wide on the right hand side, she sent in a cross that curled in off the far post.
December didn’t get off to the best of starts when they lost to Plymouth Ladies, Plymouth became only the second side to take six points off the Ladies this season.
They took the lead shortly before the hour mark when a counter attack found Rebekah Rose who struck a shot from distance that left Sarah Quantrill with no chance, as it flew into the top corner. Ten minutes later they made it 2-0 when a Laura Perrett free-kick beat Sarah Quantrill all ends up. 
Quantrill was to redeem herself shortly before full time when having given away a very dubious penalty she superbly saved the spot kick.
The final League game of 2011 was to be an away draw with West Ham Ladies who were just one place above the Gills.
The hosts took the lead just half an hour into the game via a Lauren Williams own goal, the Gills defender was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A back post corner missed everyone and hit Williams on the leg and snuck into the back of the net.
The Gills did get on level terms just before half time when a neat one-two between Vicky Ashton-Jones and Natalie Crinean saw the Gills striker through one on one and she stroked the ball past the keeper into the back of the net.
With the festive season fast approaching it meant a Kent Cup quarter final with local side Anchorians Ladies. There were goals a plenty in this game with Deanna Cooper scoring a hat-trick, Vicky Ashton-Jones found the net four times, including a six minute hat-trick. Captain for the day Natalie Crinean lead by example scoring five times.
There was also a brace for fellow striker Lauren Phillips and a goal a piece for Emma Tune and Danielle Carlton, as the Ladies ran out 16-0 winners.
It sets up a home semi-final against either Ebbsfleet Ladies or Millwall Lionesses in a few weeks.
