Report by Chris Dicketts
Images courtesy of Bob Lyon
Gills Ladies went back to the top of the South East Combination League on goal difference after their 5-1 win away at Cambridge Women.
Ashlee Hincks scored a brace and there were goals from Natalie Crinean, Danielle Farmer and Anna Broad on her first start of the season.
Manger Ian Varley juggled his pack once more for this tricky away tie; Whitney Judd was rested with Kate Foster taking her place in the team.
There was also a first start of the season for Anna Broad who came in for Deanna Cooper who was unavailable for the weekend.
The Gills created a number of chances throughout the first half but it took them until midway through the half to score their first goal.
It was the ever impressive Ashlee Hincks who opened the scoring; she burst through the heart of the Cambridge defence. They had no answer for the pace of the Gills number eight who slotted home pas the despairing Cambridge keeper.
The Gills went further ahead five minute before the break when Anna Broad grabbed her first goal of the season in her first start.
She found herself in space on the edge of the Cambridge area, and with time to shape she rifled a shot into the roof of the home sides net.
Half Time 0-2
The Gills were not playing their best football of the season but they were still to strong for their opponents who are second bottom in the League.
The second half began much as they finished the first half by extending their lead and putting the game beyond the reach of their opponents.
Jodie Mugford created the chances by slotting in the ever impressive Ashlee Hincks who calmly rounded the keeper before slotting into an empty net.
Cambridge did pull a goal back shortly afterwards in the most bizarre of fashions. They had rarely threatened in the game.
They swung a cross deep into the Gills area and without threatening the ball took a number of unfortunate deflections and found its way past Katie Duffy in the Gills goal.
The Gills went 4-1 up in the 65th minute when the away side were awarded a penalty after a shove from one of the Cambridge players.
It was the Captain Becky Lyon who was causing problems for the Cambridge defence that saw her shoved in the back and the referee had no choice but to point to the spot. Midfielder Danni Farmer stepped up and calmly slotted home her second penalty of the season.
Natalie Crinean rounded off the scoring and capped yet another easy victory for a Gills side that didn't have to get out of third gear. She was played in via a deflection off a Cambridge defender and all she had to do was calmly slot the ball home for yet another goal for the inform striker.
The result sees the Gills return to the top of the League on goal difference with games in hands over their rivals.
Full Time 1-5
Gills: Duffy, Foster (Judd), Kay, Herrett, Lyon (c), Broad, Farmer, Mugford, Ashton-Jones (Abbott), Hincks (Russ), Crinean
Unused Sub: Halfpenny
