By Chris Dicketts
Gills Ladies ended their pre-season build up with a creditable draw against National Premiership side Watford at Martin Grove.
On another afternoon it could have been more for the Gills because they created enough chances to score more than the two goals they did score.
Ashlee Hincks gave the Ladies the lead before Watford equalised, Hincks then scored again to put the Gills in the lead, before Watford equalised late on.
The Gills were on the attack from the very first whistle and in the third minute great work from Stacey McConville found Vicky Ashton-Jones, her ball found Hincks who hit a shot wide of the near post.
The Watford defence was split open by an incisive pass just two minutes later, the play warranted a goal but Lauren Phillips shot was straight at the keeper.
Vicky Ashton-Jones showed the full back a clean pair of heels and cut into the area before setting the ball back to Danielle Carlton, her shot went high over the cross bar.
Eight minutes in and Watford had their first attack of the game, it resulted in a corner that came into the Gills area and the defender rose highest but couldn't get her header on target.
The Gills then went 1-0 up thanks to great build up play from Natalie Crinean, she found Ashlee Hincks who rounded the keeper and slotted the ball into the empty net via the post.
The lead lasted just one minute as Watford went up the other and made it 1-1. Captain Becky Lyon followed the striker out of the area and got in a good challenge. The ball still made its way into the Gills area and found its way into the back of the Gills net.
Yet before the equaliser the Gills had a good chance of their own as Deanna Cooper played a good ball to Danielle Carlton, she in turn played in Ashlee Hincks and she set Natalie Crinean free but her shot was straight at the keeper.
Stacey McConville got the Gills next attack going with an accurate pass up field to Ashlee Hincks, she raced down the left wing before cutting inside and hitting a shot wide.
In the 24th minute the ever impressive Deanna Cooper found Natalie Crinean who latched onto the ball and ran into the space in front of her, she hit a shot that unfortunately went straight at the keeper.
For all the Watford possession they were struggling to find a way past the Gills back line and Sian Cheedy and Becky Lyon were looking comfortable at centre half. Stacey McConville and Lauren Williams were putting in some good work on the flanks as the Gills looked the more likely side to score.
In the 25th minute the Gills make it 2-1 as Ashlee Hincks netted her second goal of the game. Danielle Carlton played a great ball from midfield. Hincks picked the ball up and beat the full back with ease before racing into the area, rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net.
Five minutes later and it could have been 3-1 and Ashlee Hincks could have had her hat trick but her attempted lob went straight into the keeper's grateful arms.
In the 34th minute Watford broke down the Gills left and sent a ball into the area, it landed at the feet of the striker but she could find no way past Becky Lyon who shepherded her out of the area and away from danger.
Watford were unlucky not to go in on level terms at half time as a free kick was sent into the Gills area, it missed everyone and came back off Katie Duffy's upright. It was then cleared away by the Gills as the danger was averted.
Half Time 2-1
The second half began in much the same vein as it ended with Watford creating the first opportunity for either team.
They were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area in a dangerous position but the free kick was hit over the bar.
Hincks provided a great ball to Natalie Crinean in the 50th minute, she cut into the area before squaring across the six yard box, and Lauren Phillips raced in at the far post but just couldn't connect with the ball.
The Gills defence was once again standing firm as Watford couldn't get their wingers in behind the Gills fullbacks, nor could their strikers find a way past the Gills centre halves.
With 15 minutes left substitute Amy Russ played a one-two with Lauren Phillips before unleashing a thunderous drive from thirty yards that flashed past the keepers near post.
With the clock ticking down Watford began to push for an equaliser and it almost came in the 80th minute but Katie Duffy made a good save low down at her near post. From the resulting corner however they did make it 2-2 as a header went unchallenged at the back post and into the top corner of Katie Duffy's net.
With just four minutes left on the clock Lauren Phillips found herself in a good position in the Watford area, just as she went to unleash a shot a last ditch tackle came in and the danger was cleared.
This was the last attack of the game, overall it was a good test for the Gills and it shows just how far they have come in a short space of time.
They can head to the opening weekend of the season against Charlton next weekend full of confidence for their first season in the Southern Premiership.
Full Time 2-2
Gills: Duffy, Williams (Judd, 82), Cheedy, Lyon (c) (Ahern, 60), McConville, Cooper, Carlton (Russ, 67), Ashton-Jones (Farbrace, 87), Hincks, Crinean (Phillips, 68), Phillips (Taylor, 53)
Subs not used: Nunn
