Report by Simon Head

Centre forward Natalie Crinean claimed a well-deserved hat-trick, while strike partner Ashlee Hincks blasted in a spectacular 30-yard free kick as the Gills impressed in front of the watching cameras from Meridian Television.

It was clear from the first whistle that this was not going to be a double-figure scoreline, as Northampton flew into challenges with gusto and looked well organized throughout, which made for an entertaining and competitive match.

After a well-contested start, the Gills broke the deadlock after just ten minutes when Crinean latched onto a loose ball, drove into the penalty and fired under the Cobblers' keeper at the near post.

That goal helped the Gills settle, and they began to lay siege to the Northampton goal as wave after wave of attacks created a series of chances for the Gills.

In the 16th minute Hincks cut in from the left and unleashed a powerful drive, which was brilliantly parried by the Northampton keeper. Midfielder Jodie Mugford reacted first to the rebound but her header dropped just over the crossbar.

One minute later Crinean's bustling run from the right flank created a shooting chance for Hincks, whose shot was parried wide by the Northampton keeper.

The Gills midfield quartet of Danni Farmer, Deanna Cooper, Jodie Mugford and Vicki Ashton-Jones dominated the middle of the park, and Farmer can count herself unlucky not to have added her name to the scoresheet in the first half.

The former Charlton midfielder had three chances in the space of ten minutes, the closest of which saw her 20-yard strike cannon off the post with the keeper beaten.

Gillingham were well on top, but Northampton could easily have grabbed an equaliser on the half-hour mark when a corner caused havoc in the Gills defence.

The Gills defence, marshalled by Captain Becky Lyon, managed to shepherd the ball away from danger on that occasion and looked solid throughout, with some crunching challenges going in from Whitney Judd in particular.

The Gills right back won virtually every challenge she made throughout the 90 minutes and impressed hugely, while Lyon made sure her teammates were on their game thoughout, constantly talking and encouraging her players.

Gillingham needed a second goal to make matters more comfortable going into the second half and, thanks to Crinean, they got it with five minutes remaining in the half.

The Gills number nine produced a peach of a volley from around 18 yards, which flew into the bottom corner of the net.

The second half started with Northampton looking fired up and determined to play their way back into the game, but despite getting into some good attacking positions, the Gills back four held firm, providing a solid base from which the Gills launched yet more attacks.

On 57 minutes the hugely impressive Ashton-Jones burst through the midfield and released Farmer down the right wing. The Gills number seven crossed well for Crinean whose first-time effort was smothered superbly by the Northampton keeper.

Another goal was there for the taking, and it came in spectacular fashion on 69 minutes when Ashlee Hincks smashed a free-kick into the top left-hand corner of the goal from all of 30 yards. It was a fantastic strike from the former Watford striker, and one that any player, at any level, would have been proud of.

And Hincks turned provider just one minute later, as she beat the offside trap and outpaced the Northampton defence before crossing for Crinean to complete her hat-trick with the simplest of tap-ins.

Manager Ian Varley took the opportunity to rest hat-trick hero Crinean and midfielder Farmer shortly after, bringing on Charlotte Abbott and Jade Johnson for the final ten minutes.

And Abbott came oh-so-close to grabbing a fifth goal for the Gills when she was a whisker away from connecting with a great cross from substitute Kylie Overton.

The final whistle blew after a hugely impressive performance from the Gills, who were given a stern test by a committed Northampton side.

Despite an overcast, drizzly afternoon, the team was supported by a good turnout of Gills fans, who cheered and applauded the team throughout. It clearly made a difference to the players, who put on their best performance of the season against arguably the best side they've faced at Martin Grove so far.

The Gills now face an important series of away matches, as they take on Cambridge, Lewes and Enfield on the road in their next three games.

Gillingham Ladies: Duffy, Judd, Kay, Cooper (Overton 67), Herrett, Lyon (c), Farmer (Johnson 77), Hincks, Crinean (Abbott 75), Mugford, Ashton-Jones

Subs not used: Broad, Foster

Goals: Crinean (3), Hincks

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