Gills Too Strong in Kent Derby

Gillingham Ladies (1) 3
Balfour 2, 60
Loosemore 56

Herne Bay Ladies (0) 0

SSE Women’s FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
Sunday 8th November 2015
at Chatham Town FC

Attendance: 190

By Peter Guise

(Photo credit: Peter Guise – former Gill, Daniella Farmer, makes a rare incursion for Herne Bay into the Gillingham penalty area).

There may have only been a single division between the two sides but Gillingham dominated this final qualifying round encounter between the top two Ladies side sides in Kent.

“The difference was the fitness levels and two mistakes cost us two goals today”, said Herne Bay Ladies manager Anthony Deer, “the first goal put our game plans out of the window”.

Gills Ladies got off to the best possible start when Kallie Balfour capitalised on a defensive error with barely two minutes on the clock. The home side then dominated the majority of the first half, might have doubled their advantage in the 10th minute when Emma Tune’s right foot shot fizzed past Cooper’s left hand upright who then denied Balfour a second with a brave blocking save. But Herne Bay, who struggled to make the final third of the pitch for the opening half hour came back into the game and Gills looked vulnerable as they back peddled. The visitors could not force the opening despite one foraging run from former Gill, Daniella Farmer, and a 39th minute free kick from the same player that ballooned over Shanly’s crossbar.

After the break, the visitors started brightly but were rocked back on their heels conceding twice in the space of four minutes. The first of those came in the 56th when Ashleigh Loosemore swept home Balfour’s unselfish lay off and the second, on the hour mark, capped a fine personal afternoon for Kallie Balfour picking her spot. The FA WPL side were now in control, a three goal cushion proving sufficient and able to stroll into the competition proper.

With stoppage time looming, Carly Farrow might have sneaked a consolation goal for Bay but astute defending denied her the opportunity. Gillingham confirmed their progress and retained the Kent bragging rights, although Herne Bay Ladies can point to their own progression up the Ladies pyramid, closing the gulf that once existed between these two clubs.

“In terms of our domination of the game, it was comprehensive but not in terms of our clinical finishing”, said Gillingham Ladies manager Jack Wheeler, “they (Herne Bay) didn’t have a shot on target today, we’ve done really well, our performance, our possession was good. The FA Cup is a big thing for us it brings the crowds in, people want to see Kent derbies and they’ve seen one today. We’re looking at testing ourselves against teams and potentially a team from the Women’s Super League. We’re on a good bit of form at the minute, the changing room is good”.

Herne Bay Ladies manager Anthony Deer said, “Once we settled down into the game, getting the ball down, moving it into midfield and getting it forward, we showed that the system does work. There’s been lots of negative comments about the way I set up my teams but if the team don’t play the way I won’t them to play it does look negative. We showed today that we can play one up front and in the right way and the right manner we will create more chances. The girls have just got to keep believing in that”.

Gillingham Ladies: Courtney Shanly, Vanisha Patel, Charlie Thurston, Maddison North, Lauren Williams, April Bowers (Fiona Constable 80), Emma Tune, Katie Hardaker (Chelsea Wallace 78), Kallie Balfour, Ashleigh Loosemore (Jade Keogh 80), Shannon Redhouse.

Subs not used: Imogen Alabaster.

Herne Bay Ladies: Sarah Cooper, Nicola Morris (Amber Guyatt 65), Alex Roy, Beth Nugent, Debbie Blackmore, Kate Foster, Carly Farrow, Hannah Gardener, Gemma Sullivan (Rebecca Longley 75), Daniella Farmer (Amanda Beeput 69), Rachel Tracy.

Subs not used: Lucy Harrington.

Player of the Match: Kallie Balfour (Gillingham)

Herne Bay Ladies Player of the match: Hannah Gardener

Referee: Joe McKay Assistant Referees: Jack Mottram & Dan Friar