By Chris Dicketts

Gills Ladies hammered opponents Ashford on Sunday afternoon to seal a place in the Kent Cup semi finals.

Manager Ian Varley was confident from the off that they would run up a big score against a side made up of many ex Gills players.

Talking about the game, he said: "I know how much quality we have and we showed that today. At times some of the stuff we played today was on a different level and we'd of hammered anyone today.

"It makes me laugh how some people can say how today was going to be tough etc when they don't watch us play regularly and it was nice to prove just how good we are! To be honest I expected more from Ashford but we didn't let them play at all."

Prior to this game the Gills had not played in nearly a month again as bad weather put paid to this fixture for two weeks.

Varley thinks that it worked well for his side in the end, he added: "If I am honest that probably worked in our favour as it meant the girls were really up for it even though it was Kent Cup.

"Most players got a good 90 minutes, we dusted off a few cobwebs and as I said we played some brilliant stuff going forward!"

Any team would have struggled to cope with the attacking flair shown by Varley's side as they created attack after attack.

The manager was full of praise for his front four, he said: "The front four were on fire today as they always are! They played some brilliant one touch and two touch football and as always were very direct.

"That's one of their strengths because as soon as any of them get the ball they try to make something happen and go forward and very rarely will you see them play backwards or slow an attack down.

"I have to say they were backed up by Jodie, Deanna and Laura who all put in box to box performances and Dee played one of the passes of the season for one of Ash's goals first half. It was world class!"

One player who made the step up from the reserves on Sunday was Anelle Massey and she impressed the manager when she came on as a second half substitute.

He added: "I was really impressed by Nell today! She's been training with the first team lately and deserved her chance to play and when she came on she was excellent.

"First few touches she kept it simple and then once she relaxed she proved what a player she is and capped it off with a wonder strike. I am really pleased for her and hopefully it will fill her with confidence and she can be a part of the first team for the remainder of the season."

The Gills have not kept a clean sheet since the victory over Castle Colts in the Kent Cup in January which is something that Ian is concerned about.

He said: "I suppose it is but like you said it was a fluke goal so nothing we can do about that. These games are always difficult because the back four and goalkeeper generally don't have much to do.

"I was pleased with their concentration levels because when they were asked to do something they did it and didn't try anything fancy even though the game was won early on."

The Gills will be full of confidence as they head into the League Cup semi-final against Enfield next week.

Talking about the confidence among his players, Varley added: "If you speak to any of our girls there not short on confidence because they have belief in the team and in their own ability.