Norwich City 4 v 1 Gillingham

Plantation Park, Blofield, Norwich Report by Manager Martin Andrews

Gillingham Ladies walked off the ground at Norwich in disbelief at the result, not only had they undeservedly lost ,they lost again by another heavy margin of 4-1.

A long day for the Ladies started off leaving Rochester at 9am on a mini-bus and arriving back just before 9pm...

Probably the hardest working performance from the Gills this season saw them go a goal down after 30mins, only for Vicky Ashton-Jones to score a superb equaliser just before half time, when she shot from 30 yards out into the top left hand corner with the Norwich keeper trying to scamble to it.

In the second half there was one major factor, the wind !! No excuse but the wind bacame so severe at the start of the 2nd half that the Gills struggled to get out of their own half. However they battled away until an undeserved 2nd goal by Norwich changed the whole game. The 3rd goal was an own goal from a corner, the swirling wind and low sun, not the best to defend, and the 4th arrived as Gillingham battled in vain to find a way back into the game.

Tania Laws in goal again put in a very good display as she produced several very good saves, and Zara Phillips had her best performance of the season in the middle of the park.

Afterwards the players walked off in amazement, but if they can put this hard work in each game, which has been alarmingly missing from recent performances the Gills will pull themselves out of trouble.

Squad:-

Laws, N.Seath, Reynolds (Phillips), Lyon, Judd, Bolden (Goodall), Kay, Stevens, Ashton-Jones, Overton, Broad

Gillingham Ladies have had five ladies selected to represent Kent for Wednesday's night tie against Hampshire (7:30pm Kick Off @ Sevenoaks F.C)

Zara Phillips, Victoria Ashton-Jones, Whitney Judd, Kim Bolden and Kylie Overton are included along with players from West Ham, Charlton, Millwall, Ebbsfleet, Maidtone Town & Canterbury.