Gills ladies are through to their second Kent cup final in three-years after what can only be described as a lucky 1-0 win against Ebbsfleet this Sunday afternoon.

After last week’s performance Gillingham were expected to fly straight through to the Kent cup final on Sunday afternoon. Although there were a few players missing, it is only fair to say that Ebbsfleet dominated the game, while the Gills were below par for only the second or third match this season.

Throughout the first half Gillingham could only create a few half chances, as they struggled to keep possession of the football. Fortunately, the ladies picked up slightly during the second half and Laura East managed to secure Gills a place in the final with a great strike just after the hour mark.

Ebbsfleet had the first opportunity of the game as Lisa Fulgence connected well with a corner only to see her effort fly over Jessica Nunn’s cross bar.

It took the Gills until the 14th minute to muster their first effort on goal, as Lauren Philips fired a shot straight at Faye Baker in the Fleet goal, after a great pass from Lauren Williams to start the move off.

Moments later Ebbsfleet were awarded a free kick, and the ball was floated the ball into the area creating yet another opportunity for the visitors. Gills failed to clear the danger, showing slow reactions and Fulgence had her second opportunity but was denied a goal by a great save from Nunn in the Gills goal.

In the 27 minute Gillingham gained possession as Amy Taylor picked the ball up in the midfield, before firing her effort from all of forty yards out straight over the cross bar.

Gills were unable to keep possession of the ball and Ebbsfleet dominated the first half with a number of throw in’s and free kicks, preventing Gills from being able to build up any sustained pressure.

Half Time 0-0

The second half continued where the first one had left off despite Ian Varley’s half time team talk, as the Ladies continued to give away possession cheaply.

Ebbsfleet had the first opportunity during the second half as Fulgence caused more problems with her blistering pace for the Gills defence. She took the ball around several Gills players from the centre of midfield, all the way to the edge of the penalty area, where she struck a shot which was yet again denied by another great save by Jessica Nunn.

Ten minutes into the second half Gills finally picked up their performance and started to show the quality expected from them, creating a number of half chances through Natalie Crinean, Vicky Ashton-Jones that couldn’t be converted.

Following this, Philips had another good chance with virtually an open goal in the 60th minute, which should have seen Gills take the lead, but was somehow kept out by Ebbsfleet’s defence.

Only moments later Danielle Carlton had a great chance but smashed the ball over the cross bar from just inside the six yard area, after bring neatly fed the ball by Vicky Ashton-Jones.

In the 67th minute Gills took the lead as Danielle Carlton slotted the ball into the area, which was met by Laura East who fired a fierce shot straight past Faye Baker to make it 1-0.

Ebbsfleet continued the fight for the equaliser, keeping Gills on their toes as they created half chances without failing to test Nunn fully.

Only minutes before the full time whistle, Ebbsfleet went close for the final time, after they were awarded a free-kick just outside the Gills area. Jen Poole stepped up and fired goal wards but found Nunn equal to her effort in the Gills goal.

Despite a below par performance and a great effort from Ebbsfleet, Gillingham Ladies will be in their second Kent cup final in three years, where they will take on Charlton Ladies Reserves on a date in April to be announced.

Full time 1-0

Gills: Nunn, Williams, Jones, Witham, Carlton, Tune, East, Phillips, Crinean, Ashton-Jones, Taylor

Subs: Smith, Hardaker, Blackie

Gills Ladies are through to the third round of the FA Cup for the third season in a row, after a well-deserved 3-0 win against Colchester United Ladies on Sunday afternoon.

Gillingham dominated the game from the start, creating a number of chances throughout and ensured Colchester failed to make it five wins from five games against the Ladies.

Natalie Crinean scored an impressive brace with one goal in either half, before Danielle Carlton secured the Gills place in round three with a great strike late on.

Manager Ian Varley was boosted by the return of Sarah Jones after seven weeks out with a broken foot, whilst new signing Toni-Ann Wayne made her debut for the club.

The Gills took the lead after just 10 minutes when Natalie Crinean took picked up the ball and fired the her shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.

Colchester’s defence was strong, well organised and composed and denied Gills a second goal from Danielle Carlton’s corner shortly after.

With 26 minutes gone, Gillingham Ladies created another goal scoring opportunity when Danielle Carlton had a shot from a tight angle which smashed into the side netting.

Moments later, Colchester’s Megan Doyle floated a corner into the six yard area, which led to an almighty goalmouth scramble as Colchester desperately searched for an equaliser. The Gills defence through bodies at the ball and a combination of Amy Taylor and then Emma Tune managed to clear the danger.

Danielle Carlton created another chance for Gill’s after 30 minutes, with a good effort from just inside Colchester’s half. Carlton’s speculative effort from a long way out flew just over the cross bar.

Only minutes later Danielle Carlton steered an accurate pass to Laura East who was denied a goal by a good save from Colchester’s goalkeeper.

Just before the half time whistle Gillingham’s Emma Tune and Lauren Williams played a neat one-two and managed to squeeze a great pass through to Natalie Crinean who had an opportunity for her second goal, but saw her shot sail well wide.

Half Time 1-0

The Gills came out in the second half and picked up where they left off at the end of the first half leaving Colchester with little chance of getting back into the game.

Danielle Carlton had the first chance of the second half after 53 minutes when she fired a fierce shot which was equally matched by a great save from Colchester’s goalkeeper.

In the 55th minute, Natalie Crinean managed to bag her second goal of the game and 15th of the season, by picking up the ball well outside of Colchester’s area, and racing at full tilt into the box before burying a shot into the bottom corner.

Colchester made a double substitution in the 58th minute looking for some inspiration, and a way back into the FA Cup tie.

Colchester’s Alex Shepherd earned a booking on 61 minutes following a foul on Gillingham’s Amy Taylor. Shepherd was warned by the referee for a series of questionable challenges and was eventually punished when her miss-timed tackle saw her sliding late into Taylor making no contact with the ball.

In the 63rd minute, Colchester gained a corner following a miss placed pass. Zoe Rushen’s set piece was fired into the danger zone only to be met by a fine catch through a crowd of players from debutant goalkeeper Toni-Ann Wayne.

Moments later a piece of fine play saw a flick on from Natalie Crinean which was accurately met by Laura East who had her first shot on target of the match. It was a good chance for Gillingham but East’s headed effort failed to hit the target and sailed harmlessly over the cross bar.

In the 67th minute, Gillingham’s Vicky Ashton Jones had a great opportunity to make it 3-0 to the Gills. Danielle Carlton ran with the ball and neatly fed it through to Jones who was unlucky not to find the back of the net, firing straight at the keeper when through one on one.

Danielle Carlton sealed the win for Gills with their third goal to put the game beyond Colchester. Natalie Crinean’s miss hit cross found Carlton who tucked the ball into the corner of the net with 15 minutes of the game left to play.

Shortly afterwards Toni -Ann Wayne pulled off a brilliant save by diverting the ball over the cross bar from Karissa Rodney’s shot.

With moments to go Toni-Ann Wayne secured a clean sheet by pulling off another great save to keep out a Karissa Rodney free kick.

Colchester were arguably the toughest team Gillingham could have drawn for the second round. Yet Gillingham celebrated an unexpected but well-deserved win over the team sitting top of the Southern Premiership table.

Final Score 3-0

Gills: Wayne, Williams, Jones S, Cooper, Carlton, East, Taylor, Tune, Phillips (Smith, 78), Ashton-Jones, Crinean (Massey, 78)

Colchester: Runnacles, West, Jiggins, Rodney, Guyon, Bass, Ruskin, Gampy, Shepherd, Gowland, Doyle

Subs: Chaddell, Southgate

Gills Ladies marched into the semi-finals of the Kent Cup with a comfortable victory over Anchorians on Sunday afternoon.

Captain Natalie Crinean lead by example finding the back of the net five times, Vicky Ashton-Jones scored four goals including a six minute hat-trick. Not to be out done Deanna Cooper scored a hat-trick as well and Lauren Phillips bagged a brace, and there was a goal apiece for Emma Tune and Danielle Carlton.

Despite the cold weather and bizarre weather conditions that included rain and snow the Gills were rarely troubled by the visitors, who did well to hold out for twenty-six minutes before conceding the first goal.

There was just a minute on the clock when the Gills had their first shot on goal, a Lauren Phillips cross was turned goal wards by Natalie Crinean.

In the 13th minute Vicky Ashton-Jones was upended just outside the area and Danielle Carlton’s free-kick was cleared for a corner, the corner was over hit and missed everyone in the box and went out on the far side for a throw in.

After 23 minutes a Danielle Carlton free-kick was saved by the knees of the keeper after Natalie Crinean was fouled.

With 26 minutes gone the Ladies did finally take the lead when, Deanna Cooper fired a shot from the edge of the area into the top corner, after some good build up play to make it 1-0.

Just two minutes later Deanna Cooper turned provider as she played in Vicky Ashton-Jones, who calmly lobs the out rushing keeper to make it 2-0.

On the half hour both Deanna Cooper and Natalie Crinean saw efforts well cleared by Anchorians as they looked to extend the Gills lead further.

Two minutes later and Emma Tune played in Natalie Crinean with a slide-rule pass the striker then sent an appetising ball across the box and Vicky Ashton-Jones gratefully lapped it up and slotted home to make it 3-0.

With 34 minutes on the clock winger Lauren Phillips conjured up a delightful cross for Vicky Ashton-Jones to head home and make it 4-0 and score a first half hat trick in six minutes.

The winger wasn’t done their either as she netted her fourth goal when she tapped home yet another Natalie Crinean cross on the stroke of half time.

Half Time 5-0

The game was over as a contest half time but in the second half the Ladies stepped up a gear and ran in a further 11 unanswered goals.

It didn’t take them long to find a 6th with less than a minute on the clock in the second half, Deanna Cooper cut inside and left the Anchorians defence for dead before fired her second goal into the top corner.

Anchorians had barely kicked off again, before they were nearly picking the ball out of the back of the net for a 7th time. Danielle Carlton saw her rifled left foot shot saved by the legs of the keeper. The ball fell invitingly to Natalie Crinean but she fired her shot wide of goal.

Just four minutes later and the striker got the goal that her creative play had deserved all afternoon. She let fly with an effort from outside the 18 yard box which she saw fly into the bottom corner to make it 7-0 with the aid of the near post.

It didn’t take long for Crinean to net her second of the game as she found her scoring touch, firing home an excellent Lauren Phillips cross with some aplomb to make it 8-0.

The Ladies were dancing their own merry tune with Christmas approaching and just after the hour mark Emma Tune did find the back of the net. Danielle Carlton once again saw her shot well saved, but midfielder Tune in her distinctive white headband was on hand to slot goal number nine into an empty net.

Yet again the Gills surged forward looking to make it double figures and they got their wish just a minute later. Danielle Carlton this time found the back of the net firing in a good cross that was flicked into her path by Natalie Crinean for goal number ten.

Lauren Phillips then cast her own spell on the Anchorians defence, as she ghosted in to the box and slotted home a Danielle Carlton cross to make it 11-0.

It was 12-0 with 13 minutes of the game left to play, and it was also Natalie Crinean’s hat-trick as she fired home with precision from just inside the area.

A minute later Danielle Carlton and Natalie Crinean combined again down the left hand side and once again it led to the Gills striker finding the back of the net, for her fourth and the Gills 13th of the game.

With 10 minutes left to go Deanna Cooper turned provider, she split the Anchorians defence with her pass and Natalie Crinean had the simple task of sliding home her fifth and goal number 14 for the Gills.

Lauren Phillips then add to her goal tally as she rose highest as if by magic to head home a well placed Danielle Carlton cross as the Ladies made it a 15 goal advantage.

The scoring was rounded off with four minutes of the match remaining, and it was fitting that Deanna Cooper who opened the scoring in the first half, rounded off the scoring as well. She took a fantastic touch to flick the ball around an Anchorians defender and fire into the top corner, to complete her hat-trick.

Full Time 16-0

Gills: Quantrill, Williams, Carlton, Cooper, Blackie (Hardaker, 53), Phillips, Tune, Crinean, Ashton-Jones (Massey, 53), East, Smith

Subs not used: Jones

Gills Ladies bounced back to form with a point on Sunday afternoon against West Ham Ladies.

They made the short trip to Thurrock in a battle of third and fourth places, and both teams left with a point.

West Ham took the lead after half an hour via a Lauren Williams own goal, before Natalie Crinean equalised just before half time.

Gills started well and had the first two efforts of the game. In the third minute a Danielle Carlton free kick was well saved by the West Ham keeper. From the resulting corner Emma Tune headed over from eight yards.

After that it was all West Ham as the Gills failed to make any impact on the game.

West ham had a lot of possession but could only managed speculative shots from Merritt and Shepard which were comfortably dealt with by Sarah Quantrill.

West ham took a deserved lead on 30 minutes but had a bit of fortune to their goal. A deep back post corner missed everyone but hit the unfortunate Lauren Williams on the leg and went into the back of the net. It was a well deserved goal but one that came with a huge slice of luck.

This seemed to wake the Gills up and they got back on level terms after 40 minutes.

A neat one-two between Vicky Ashton-Jones and Natalie Crinean but the striker through one on one and she comfortably stroked the ball past the keeper into the net.

Half Time 1-1

The second half saw the Gills change the shape in order to try and win the game but it was West Ham who continued to have the majority of the possession without causing the Gills defence many problems.

Half chances fell once again to Shepherd and Merritt but Sarah Quantrill was equal anything they threw at her.

Gills had a long range shot from Natalie Crinean which flew wide and towards the end of the game found themselves with great opportunities to score but the final pass just wasn’t there.

West ham almost snatched it at the death after a long ball eluded everyone but after the West Ham striker knocked it over the keeper but Deanna Cooper was there to clear it away.

Despite the dominance of West Ham a draw on reflection was a fair result for both sides.

The Ladies head into the Christmas break in fifth place.

Full Time 1-1

Gills: Quantrill, Williams, East, Cooper, Carlton, Smith, Tune, Hardaker (Phillips 55), Blackie, Ashton-Jones, Crinean (Massey 85)

The Ladies slipped to defeat against Plymouth Ladies for the second time this season at Chatham Town on Sunday afternoon.

The Gills started brightly and had best of the first half but Plymouth took control early in the second and remained in control throughout the remainder of the second half.

Plymouth took the lead in the 57th minute through a long range effort from Rebekah Rose & doubled their lead ten minutes later from a stunning free kick by Laura Perrett.

The Gills came out of the traps quickly once again and it took just 33 seconds to get the first shot of the game on goal, a well worked moved to Lauren Phillips ended with her shot being blocked.

The Gills continued to control the game and push and a well worked move found Vicky Ashton-Jones who had room to work down the wing, a nice cut back to Lauren Phillips was closed down only for Phillips to lay the ball off to Emma Tune whose strike was blocked by a Plymouth defender.

The game turned a little scrappy at the midway point of the first half as both teams battled in the midfield for control and that all important upper hand.

With 34 minutes gone Plymouth had their first shot of the game when Laura Perrett fired a free kick from distance on goal, only to see her dipping effort tipped over the bar by Sarah Quantrill in the Gills goal.

The Gills continued to press for the opener and shortly before half time captain Danni Farmer curled a cross into the area towards Vicky Ashton-Jones who saw her shot go just wide.

Half Time 0-0

The second half saw the teams flip in terms of possession as Plymouth came out strong, and with just under two minutes gone Emily Mousley found space to shoot only to see her effort go wide.

Vicky Ashton-Jones again found space down the wing before playing a ball back to the incoming Katie Hardaker whose shot went just wide of the target.

Both teams continued to battle for the first goal and it looked like it was going to fall to the Gills when a lovely through ball by Danielle Carlton found Lauren Phillips with space and time to work a shot but again she could only watch as the effort went agonisingly wide of the target.

Just a minute later and Emma Tune forced the keeper into a good save with her feet to keep Plymouth in the game.

Plymouth netted the first goal of the game in the 57th minute when they broke down field on a counter attack, the ball finally found its wall to Rebekah Rose who struck a shot from distance, and the diving Sarah Quantrill couldn’t do anything as the ball flew into the top corner to make it 0-1.

The Gills almost got back into the game straight away when Vicky Ashton-Jones again found herself with space to run into down the wing, again she pulled the ball back this time to the incoming Danni Farmer who fired her shot high and wide.

On 67 minutes Plymouth were again awarded a free kick within shooting distance and Laura Perrett again stepped up and fired the free-kick at the Gills goal, this time it flew into the back of the net to make it 0-2 to the visitors.

With just four minutes left Plymouth were awarded a penalty after Sarah Quantrill was adjudged to have fouled the Plymouth striker in the area. The Keeper then redeemed herself by superbly saving the penalty.

The Gills battled to the whistle to try and get something out of the game but it wasn’t to be as the referee blow the whistle to bring the game to a close which saw Gillingham drop their first three points at home since September.

Full Time 0-2

Gills: Quantrill, Williams (Blackie, 75), Cooper, East, Tune, Hardaker (Massey, 84), Smith, Phillips, Farmer, Ashton-Jones, Carlton

Subs not used: Crinean

Plymouth: Stanley, Jackson, Aherne, Rose, Brooks, Perrett, Rourke, Mousley, Javan, Kampman, Coles

Subs: Volpini, Liggett

The Ladies beat Keynsham in a tight game at Chatham Town on Sunday afternoon to move into fourth place in the Southern Premiership.

The Gills took the lead when a clearance from Keynsham smashed home off a Keynsham player with Lauren Phillips lurking in the second minute.

Keynsham equalised with four minutes of the first half to play when Suzanne Grant chipped Sarah Quantrill inside the 18 yard box.

Vicky Ashton-Jones netted the winner and what a spectacular goal it was, whether it was intended remains to be seen. The winger was wide out on the right hand side when she unleashed a cross come shot that flew into the net off the far post around the hour mark.

The first attack of the match resulted in the first goal of the match for the second home game in a row for the Ladies. Emma Tune started the move when she slotted in Vicky Ashton-Jones, her cross found Bryony Smith at the far post her shot was cleared by a defender, only for her to see it hit her own player and fly into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

It wasn’t until the seventh minute of the game that Keynsham had their first shot on goal; it was Michelle Green who tried her luck from distance but picked out Sarah Quantrill in the Gills goal.

The game then went off the boil a little as both sides battled to control the midfield and take the upper hand.

With 23 minutes gone Deanna Cooper picked the ball up in her own half, before setting off on a mazy run that ended with her pulling her shot just wide of the far post.

Three minutes later and a long ball from Keynsham found Kelly Aldridge in space in the Gills area, with Sarah Quantrill to beat, her attempted lob was well held by the Gills custodian.

The Gills could have extended their lead on the half hour mark, a Danielle Carlton cross was headed back across goal by Danni Farmer. Lauren Phillips saw her shot cleared off the line and away for a corner. The resulting corner was swung in by Danielle Carlton again and Vicky Ashton-Jones saw her shot crash back off the cross bar.

Then shortly before half time Keynsham got the equaliser, a ball over the Gills defence found Suzanne Grant with time and space to take a touch and lift the ball over Sarah Quantrill to make it 1-1.

Half Time 1-1

In the second half as the game wore on their looked like there would only be one winner as the Gills pushed forwards.

It was Keynsham who had the first effort of the second period however as Ashley Reinecke fired wide from 18 yards out.

Vicky Ashton-Jones had the first effort for the Gills in the second half when she turned and rifled her shot straight at the Keynsham keeper.

The Gills then took the lead once more when Vicky Ashton-Jones found the net from distance; she was picked out on the far side. Having shaken off the attentions of the full back she sent a cross into the area, but saw it curl towards the far post and sure enough it flew into the net off the post to make it 2-1.

Just a minute later and Emma Tune forced the keeper into a good save with her feet to keep Keynsham in the game.

Emma Tune and Jay Blackie missed a couple of half chances between them from Danielle Carlton crosses as the Gills looked to extend their lead further.

With ten minutes to go another Danielle Carlton cross found Bryony Smith at the back post and her shot forced a good save from Amber Thornell in the visitor’s goal, as the Gills youngster looked to wrap up the points.

With time ticking away Sarah Quantrill pulled off an excellent point blank save from Suzanne Grant to ensure that the Gills took all three points home.

Full Time 2-1

Gills: Quantrill, Williams, Cooper, East, Tune, Hardaker (Blackie, 60), Smith, Phillips (Massey, 79), Farmer, Ashton-Jones, Carlton

Subs not used: Crinean

Keynsham: Thornell, Oeser, Hutton, Rouemaine, Sage, Reinecke, Green, Rusek, Aldridge, Grant, Lapham

Subs: Ziolek, Tweed

Gills Ladies progressed through to the next round of the Kent Cup this afternoon with ease.

The Gills ran out 7-0 winners thanks to a hat trick from Natalie Crinean, and a goal apiece from Lauren Phillips, Katie Hardaker, Emma Tune and Charlotte Abbott.

With four goals in the first half and a further three in the second it really was plain sailing for the girls.

Corinthians almost took a shock lead in the opening minute as a mix up at the back led to a shot across goal which Laura East and Sarah Quantrill did well to deal with.

After that Gills took control and it became attack versus defence for the remainder of the game. The Gills had 32 attempts on goal and managed to convert seven of them.

Natalie Crinean opened the scoring on eight minutes after a good run was finished by a cross come shot aided with a light deflection.

The Ladies doubled their lead on 15 minutes as Lauren Phillips deep cross evaded the keeper and landed in the back of the net.

It was 3-0 not long after on 22 minutes as a Danni Farmer corner caused confusion in the Corinthians defence and Katie Hardaker tapped home from close range.

Natalie Crinean then got her 2nd goal on 35 minutes after expertly rounding the keeper and scoring from a tight angle.

Half Time 0-4

It was 5-0 two minutes after the restart and Natalie Crinean completed her hat trick with the goal of the game. A ball was played into her on edge of the box and in one movement she turned and fired the ball into the top corner.

Emma Tune made it 6-0 after her free kick flew in off the underside of the bar and Charlotte Abbott rounded off the scoring with a 25 yard effort which left the keeper no chance into the bottom corner.

The Ladies now entertain Anchorians Ladies at home on December 18th in the next round.

Full Time 0-7

Gills: Quantrill, Williams, Carlton, East, Tune, Hardaker, Farmer (Abbott 70) Smith, Massey, Phillips, Crinean (Witham 62)

Gills Ladies bounced back with victory over Spurs Ladies on Sunday afternoon with the earliest goal the Ladies have ever scored.

Natalie Crinean found the net with just 37 seconds on the clock and that would prove to the difference between the two sides.

No sooner had the referee blown his whistle for kick off than Jo Ayer was picking the ball out of her net. A great move starting at the back for the Gills saw the ball out wide and a first time cross into the box was back heeled home by Natalie Crinean, putting the home side 1-0 up.

Within the first minute Vicky Ashton-Jones also found Natalie Crinean show saw her shot straight at Ayer as the Lades came out of the traps fast.

With five minutes gone a Danni Farmer back pass put the Gills keeper Sarah Quantrill under some pressure with Rosie Webb lurking.

Five minutes later and Danni Farmer found Natalie Crinean with a long ball but the striker pulled her shot wide of the far post.

Spurs first sight of goal came in the 15th minute when a long range shot failed to test Sarah Quantrill as it drifted harmlessly wide.

The Ladies hit the cross bar with 18 minutes gone, Lauren Phillips picked the ball up out wide and saw her cross come shot, smash off the top of the cross bar.

Spurs first effort on target came in the 22nd minute when Nicola Cable saw her initial shot blocked, the ball fell to Emma Kayser who fired straight at Sarah Quantrill.

Shortly before the half hour mark and a Leah Jones cross was met in the middle of the penalty area but Emma Tune who headed straight at Jo Ayer in the Spurs goal.

Lauren Phillips could quite get on the end of an inviting cross from Danielle Carlton in the 33rd minute.

Shortly before half time an Emma Kayser corner was headed over by Wendy Martin from the six yard area as Spurs looked for an equaliser.

On the stroke of half time Vicky Ashton-Jones found herself with time and space to have a shot but saw it go straight at the keeper.

Half Time 1-0

In the second half it was the Gills who again came out of the traps the quickest as they looked to try and get a second goal.

Vicky Ashton-Jones picked the ball up on and picked out Natalie Crinean, she drove into the Spurs area and fired her shot wide of the far post with the keeper to beat.

In the 48th minute a Leah Jones corner was cleared but only as far as Danielle Carlton, but she saw her shot comfortably gathered by Jo Ayer.

As Spurs looked to press for an equaliser the game became stretched but neither side could really great a goal scoring opportunity.

Wendy Martin fired straight at Sarah Quantrill who gratefully gathered the ball with half an hour left on the clock.

With twenty minutes to go the Gills had a couple of good chances to kill the game first Vicky Ashton-Jones fired wide. Then Natalie Crinean broke into the area and saw her shot go agonisingly wide of the near post.

Late on in the game and Laura East had two chances to get on the score sheet for the Gills, she connected twice with a Leah Jones cross and saw both efforts go wide of the post, as the Gills looked for a killer second goal.

The three points puts the Gills on 19 points for the season, two points ahead of their total from last season, already making it their best season in the Southern Premiership.

Full Time 1-0

Gills: Quantrill, Williams, Carlton, Cooper, Farmer, Ashton-Jones (Hardaker, 88), Crinean, Phillips (East, 66), Tune, Taylor (Cheedy, 75), Jones

Subs not used: Smith

Spurs: Ayer, Hall, O’Houran, Cheeseman, Vyse, Cable, Puttuck, Martin, Kayser, Schillachi, Webb

Subs: Heath, Thompson, Golding

The Ladies slipped to only their second defeat in their last ten games away at Colchester Ladies on Sunday afternoon.

A disappointing first half performance ultimately cost Gills the game and they never really got to grips with the hosts physical and direct style of play.

The visitors started brightly and Vicky Ashton-Jones had a shot blocked and a Danielle Carlton corner caused confusion in the Colchester box as the Gills looked for the opener.

Colchester took the lead mid way through the first half as the Gills switched off and a quick throw in led to a cross in the box which was headed home from four yards out.

The next chance was probably the turning point in the game. Just a few minutes after the opening goal, a great run into the box from Natalie Crinean saw her pass the ball to Vicky Ashton -Jones who from six yards out shot straight at the keeper.

Just four minutes after that and Colchester doubled their lead just after the half hour mark. A needless free kick was given away and Kate Longhurst despatched it into the net giving Jess Nunn absolutely no chance.

The third came in controversial style on 36 minutes. Leading up to a corner Jess Nunn was clattered in the box leaving her with a nasty gash on the chin.

The referee decided to award a corner and from that Colchester got their third goal and ended the game as a contest. In truth there were a whole lot more chances as the half went on and Colchester could have been five or six up.

The Gills were much improved after the break without providing a real cutting edge. Colchester always looked dangerous on the break and a defensive mistake in the 70th minute resulted in Colchester grabbing their fourth goal with a cool finish from inside the box.

Gills continued to press and were rewarded with a consolation goal after good work from Anelle Massey who was making her first appearance for the first team this season, she sent a ball over the top for Natalie Crinean who expertly lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net.

The game fizzled out after this and Colchester registered a deserved double over the Gills and continue to be somewhat of a bogey team.

Full Time 4-1

Gills: Nunn, Cheedy, Cooper (Williams 50) East, Tune, Hardaker, Phillips, Farmer, Crinean, Ashton-Jones, Carlton (Massey 65)

The Gills came from behind on Sunday afternoon to complete a memorably victory over League leaders Brighton.

Kim Whitcombe put Brighton ahead in the 15th minute before Danielle Carlton equalised and Katie Hardaker ensured all three points came back to Kent.

The Gills started well without creating any real chances on goal. The only notable effort was an effort after ten minutes from Danielle Carlton which flew past the post.

Brighton then began to dominate and were playing with plenty of confidence and took the lead after 15 minutes when a cross into the area was tapped home by Kim Whitcombe. It was a very poor goal to concede from a Gills point of view.

Brighton’s shape was causing the Gills numerous problems and they could have easily gone in at the break two or three goals up but for the brilliance of Sarah Quantrill who made numerous saves in the Gills goal.

The Gills got back into the game when Danielle Carlton let fly with a typical Carlton thunder bolt on the edge of the area in the 28th minute, her shot took a deflection past the keeper and into the back of the net to make it 1-1.

Gills changed their shape and comfortably saw out the rest of the first half to go in 1-1 and in with a good chance of getting something from the game.

In the second half the Gills started well and as well as preventing Brighton from playing they also began to create some good chances.

Just before the hour mark the Gills took the lead for the first time in the game when a long range Katie Hardaker effort flew into the back of the net. This began the Gills best spell in the game and further efforts from Emma Tune, Danielle Carlton and Danni Farmer all went close to extending the Gills lead.

As it looked like the Gills would comfortably see out the game Laura East brought down a Brighton forward in the box but the resulting penalty was brilliant saved by Sarah Quantrill.

Brighton pressed for the last 15 minutes but the Gills stood strong and a quite unbelievable save in the 87th minute by Sarah Quantrill made sure the Gills went home with all three points.

Gills: Quantrill, Williams, Carlton, Taylor (Phillips 71) Cooper, Jones L, Ashton-Jones, Hardaker (East 65) Smith (Tune 45) Farmer, Crinean