5thoct05G

Fleet stretch unbeaten run to six matches

Another fine performance from a Gravesend & Northfleet Ladies team, growing in strength and confidence every game they play, sees them go six games unbeaten and settling in third place in the London and South East Regional Premier League table, writes Stephen McCartney.

After gaining promotion last year, it has been a great start to Fleet ladies season, who are taking nothing for granted in this new league, as they are working hard every week to improve team performance and strengthen as a squad.

So far so good, having won 2 and drawn 1 of their league games and advancing to the first round proper of the FA Cup, they are setting themselves off to a very good start.

Last Sunday they faced another tough test in the league facing former South East Counties team Crowborough Athletic Ladies, who twice managed to narrowly take points from Fleet Ladies last season.

Fleet ladies were more than up for the challenge and started the more brightly of the two teams, taking the game to Crowborough from the kick off, winning challenges and putting together some good attacking and passing football.

But they didn’t get it all their way, as in a fast opening 20 minutes the game flowed from end to end, and it took a great save from Fleet goalkeeper Lisa Chickelday who tipped Crowboroughs best effort of the game over the crossbar to keep the score level.

It was a solo effort from Striker Mel Bishop that earnt Fleet ladies the opening goal in the first half, as she took on a couple of players and got herself into the box only to be fowled by a Crowborough defender and earnt the team a penalty.

Bishop stepped forward to take the penalty and finished powerfully into the roof of the net leaving the keeper no chance of saving, this is Mel's third penalty of the season, 3 out of 3 so far.

The second half increased in intensity as Crowborough became more frustrated at being a goal behind, they resorted to a long ball game to try and catch the Fleet defence out, at times it took some strong and frantic defending from Fleet ladies to keep Crowborough out who came close with a well taken corner in the final moments.

But the team fought hard together and rode the difficult moments and continued to try and play their football creating a few more chances which unfortunately they weren't able to convert.

The game finished a well earned 1-0, and was a good strong all round team performance. Next week Fleet Ladies travel away to Tottenham Ladies in the league, where they hope the good run continues.

Gravesend & Northfleet Ladies are currently seeking an experienced goal keeper, and centre back to enhance their squad and a linesman/woman to help out on home games, qualification not essential but experience would be good. Please contact the club for more details.

For further details on the team please use any of the following contact methods. Club website: www.intheteam.com/gravesendladiesfc - Club contact Tina ladies section: 07732 148011 - Club Email: spryamanda@aol.com.