Fleet beat the Gills 5-2

Monday 07th August 2006

Gillingham Ladies FC are currently the highest league placed team Kent, but second placed Gravesend and Northfleet Ladies are hot on their heels.

If yesterday’s pre-season match was anything to go by Fleet Ladies are second highest place team in Kent on paper only, as although Gillingham play their football a league higher than the Fleet, they were no match for the Fleet as the Fleet won by five goals to two.
Its has been a positive start for Fleet Ladies in their pre-season campaign against higher placed opposition, and in preparation for the challenge they have set themselves of winning the league this year and taking the promotion spot in the London and South East Regional league.

The Regional League provides tough opposition and the Fleet will need to be on top of their game from start to finish to achieve this.

After a 2-2 draw with Enfield Town last week, and with manager Valter Anutnes putting the ladies team through their paces in pre-season training, confidence is starting to grow amongst the team, with new signings in place and players trying out at the team, team performances are slowly strengthening.

The team have a way to go and many things to work on, but are getting the best possible winning start.

Yesterday’s match against Gillingham, proved a fiercley competitive match for both the local rivals, and saw Gillingham settle quickest into the game and take a very early lead, unfortunately taking advantage of Gravesend's slow start.

After a scrappy and physical opening 15 minutes Fleet started to get into their stride and mount more of a challenge into the Gillingham half, limiting the visitors to a few half chances in the rest of the first half.

As confidence grew amongst the team and the work rate stepped up Fleet started to dominate the game and put Gillingham goal under severe pressure in the last 20 minutes of the first half.

The equalising goal was a superbly placed finish by midfielder Lorraine Grinyer after Jade Nelson crossed the ball to her in the box, Grinyer finished with one touch into the top corner.

Then the Fleet took the lead in the first half after the persistence of striker Jade McDermott who forced the keeper into a foul in the box, new signing Nelson stepped up to the spot and coolly converted into the left corner.

The second half saw a much more confident Fleet and although the manager made a few changes to rotate the squad as is part of pre-season, the team didn't weaken, and pushed on to score a further 3 goals in the second half. The goals were scored by striker McDermott, and both midfielders Becky Meritt and another new player at the Fleet Hannah Chambers.

The second half saw a tired Gillingham team, force a lucky goal where a cross hit the post and rebounded in, but no further trouble was caused as Fleet immediately returned the score and easily led the game into the finish.
Spokesperson Tina Martin told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today: “Manager Valter Anutnes was really pleased with the commitment and efforts of the team to get themselves back in the game after going 1-0 down and forcing their presence on the match.

“It was really pleasing that goals are coming from all over the team at this stage of the season.”

Next week’s preseason game sees Fleet take on Colchester Ladies, at Fleet Leisure, 2.00pm, as the season fast approaches, which starts on Sunday 3rd September.

Squad: Donna Harris, Bex Pattenden, Amanda Spry (c), Jules Pinder, Jade Nelson, Sally Appleton, Tina Martin, Becky Merritt, Hannah Chambers, Lorraine Grinyer, Chelsea Fowler, Emily Hampton, Jade McDermott

Meanwhile, the club are seeking new players for the newly formed Gravesend and Northfleet U11 girls team, current training session is Monday nights 4.00 - 5.30 on the fields behind Cygnet Leisure Centre in Northfleet, where manager Ben Hall is providing the coaching.

If you are interested contact the club or simply come along on the night and meet the team.

For further details on the team please use any of the following contact methods:

www.gnfcladies.intheteam.com

Tina Martin: 07732 148 011

Email: fleet.lfc@blueyonder.co.uk