Gillingham have got a thriving well run Centre Of Excellence which now has the genuine prospects of the girls progressing into a succesfull and competitive ladies team.

In fact such is the quality of players coming from the Centre Of Excellence, Ladies Director of Football Martin Andrews, knew he had to create a reserve team for these girls to continue there development rather that disappearing to other teams.

Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Abbott, Kate Foster, Lauren Harris, Jessica Nunn & Hannah Corrall have all moved up this season. All are enjoying a successfull first season in womens football.

This website is not just about Gillingham Ladies, but we feel its important to let everyone know the hard work that goes on in the C.O.E.

So Ruth Jackson the U16 keeper has kindly got the ball rolling in the first of hopefully many reports throughout the season.

Hampshire U16′s 2 v 2 Gillingham U16′s

Gillingham take the long trip down to Hampshire with just 11 players. The game was set to start at 10.30 meaning the team were to arrive at 9.30 early start !

First Half:

Gillingham set off to a strong start going into many challenges with strength and determination. This determination paid off with a long ball down from Ruth Jackson for the keeper to spill the ball and Bryony Smith to tuck the ball in the back of the net. The equaliser came when Hampshire’s pressure paid off when they managed to get behind the back of the Gillingham defence where Jackson had no choice but to come to the ball and the Hampshire player slotted the ball into the back of the Gillingham net.  The struggle
continued for Gillingham where they pushed on to half time where the score stood at 1-1. The half time rest was well deserved and welcomed by the Gillingham players.

U16 Keeper Ruth Jackson

Second Half:

Gills restarted the game with just 10 players on the pitch due to continuous injury problems. This set the scene for most of second half,with a succession of players having to rest.Having only 10 players for most of the half Gillingham knew they had to win as many challenges as they could and keep possession great passing set up Gillingham’s Emily Shaw who put the Gills back in front with an amazing goal into the top right hand corner leaving Hampshire keeper to watch it whizz past.The Gills enjoyed some good periods of possession which prevented Hampshire from pressuring the goal.However,Gills conceded a corner where Hampshire equalised with a header.The Gills fort hard for the rest of the game and could have stolen it a few occasions whilst Hampshire kept keeper Jackson honest.

Full time:2-2

Out of 5 games this season Gills have only suffered one defeat. At the end of the game Kevin and Sarah were very pleased with the second half performance and had a large grin on there faces.

Gillingham Team -
Ruth Jackson(GK),Emily Symonds,Rebecca Longley,Devon Blanchard,Annie White,Olivia McGregor,Gabriella Whitecomb,Zara Clarke,Emily Shaw (1),Sian Boswell,Bryony Smith (1)

Match Report by:- Ruth Jackson

Published by:- Liberty Andrews

Should any other Centre Of Excellence players wish to submit a match report or action pictures please email them to gillinghamladies@yahoo.co.uk