We would love a good turn out from the punters for our Cup Final, says Gillingham boss James Marrs

GILLINGHAM LADIES’ manager James Marrs says he’s going to take a back seat for tonight’s Ryman Women’s Cup Final against Haverhill Rovers.



The FA Women’s Premier League Soutnern Division leaders look to retain the Ryman Women’s Cup against Haverhill Rovers at Chatham Town’s Maidstone Road ground.

Haverhill, who hail from Suffolk, are in the second tier of the Eastern Regions Women's Football League.  They are in third place in the Division One North table with 28 points from 17 games, 11 points adrift of leaders Acle.

Marrs, who has won Kent FA coach of the year award, was thrilled with the way his side responded to their shock defeat at Keynsham Town by winning 8-0 away to Chesham United last Sunday.

Marrs told the club website: “We got the response we wanted, right from the first stage of preparations all the way through to the end. So that was really pleasing.

“We managed to finish quite a few of our chances off. I’d say our success rate was around the 60-70% mark so again that was pleasing to have.”

The game saw Gills striker Lisa Fulgence and centre back Deanna Cooper grab hat tricks, further reward from a pleasing team performance.

Marrs said: “They were well taken goals between them and that’s what we have been looking at. Lisa has been in really good form of late and is proving to us in every game that she should have that number 9 shirt. We love to see that and she also has her eye on the golden boot at the football club which helps make it really competitive between the strikers.”

Gillingham lead the league table with 41 points, four points clear of Coventry City, who come to Kent for Gills’ last game of the season on Sunday 18 May.

But before that, Marrs takes his side down to play rivals Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.

Coventry City, Cardiff City and Portsmouth (who occupy the next three placings in the table) have three games left to play and can still grab the title out of Gillingham’s grasp if the Kent side slip up over the next two weekends.

Marrs added: “We know what we have to do in the next two league games and we will be fully focused on that.”

Attention now turns to Gills second cup final of the season tonight against Haverhill.

Gillingham sealed a comfortable 3-0 win over Charlton Athletic’s second string to claim the Kent Women’s Cup at Maidstone United last month.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to watching them play. Jack (Wheeler, assistant manager) is in charge on Thursday night and I’m going to take a back seat.

“It will be nice to watch the game from a different perspective and keep my eye on a couple of players that I’m looking for a good performance from.”

Marrs added that the encouragement and support for Gills tonight will be crucial and encouraged fans to make the trip to Chatham Town for the game.

He said: “We would love a good turnout from the punters, it’s the business end of the season and we would love them to get behind us and push us that extra 10%.

“The girls love to perform in front of a good crowd and it can be a real good atmosphere down at Chatham when we get the support we need. Everybody loves a final and Haverhill will certainly be a stern test for us and one that we are looking forward to.”

Article courtesy of Gillingham Ladies’ website: http://glfc2013.wordpress.com  

Gillingham v Haverhill Rovers
Ryman Women’s Cup Final
Thursday 8^th May 2014
Kick Off 7:30pm
at Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6LR