By Chris Dicketts
Rachel Ahern is yet another one of the Gillingham Ladies young players who have made the step up from the reserve team to the first team.
Along with Deanna Cooper, Charlotte Abbott and Anelle Massey the versatile youngster has enjoyed a successful season with the Gills Ladies first team in recent weeks and months.
Against Ashford she started her second game of the season for the first team and once again impressed those who were watching.
Talking about playing in her second Kent Cup game, she said: "Yes it was good starting in the game on Sunday, especially as I didn't think I would be."
Like most players who make the switch to the Ladies sides from Academy's she could only dream of starting for the first team in her first full season.
Giving us her view on the fact she is exceeding her expectations, she added: "No I didn't really expect to play so many games; I had hoped that I would maybe make a few appearances.
"Maybe more towards the end of the season though, because this season my main aim was to just get back into football properly after a while out injured."
After spending a while out injured last season Rachel made the move from Charlton's Academy to Gills Ladies and she is happy with the decision she made.
She said: "Yeah I am very pleased with the way it is going, although it would be nice to score for the first team too."
Having made her first start in the previous round of the Kent Cup against Castle Colts, Ahern played in the Quarter Final and admits it was an easy game despite the disruption.
She added: "Yeah it was quite an easy game for the Gills and the girls played really well, considering the quality of the pitch and the long break in the middle of the game."
Many young players want to become involved in the first team set up and the youngster is learning a lot from an experienced manager like Ian Varley.
She said: "I am enjoying being involved with the first team and am learning new stuff every week. It is always good to play alongside quality players.
"I think I am learning a lot from Ian and the coaching sessions. In terms of preparation what is done before each game is the same e.g. meeting times and what the warm up consists of. This consistency is good, because it's good to have familiarity."
"As long as I'm playing football I'm happy so I wouldn't mind playing with the reserves but like everyone I want to play at the highest level I can."
