London Women 0 Gravesend & Northfleet Ladies 0

Monday 06th February 2006

Gravesend and Northfleet ladies fc travelled the short journey to Eltham yesterday to play their away league fixture against London Women, writes Tina Martin.

The reverse home fixture had seen Fleet ladies comfortably win 5-1 in the South East and London Regional league, but as known in football every game is different so their approach to the game was as focused and professional as ever.

It has been a difficult new year for the ladies team, with a few injuries and enforced changes making selection harder for manager Valter Antunes.

Fleet have found it difficult to emulate their pre Christmas winning form. The many changes have upset the rhythm of play and so far the month of January has seen them record three losses and one win, so this was a fixture where a vast improvement was required by the ladies side, as they slipped into 3^rd place in the league.

Fleet ladies were dominant from the kick off settling into some fluent passing football of old in the first 10 minutes, creating a few chances on goal, with Becky Merritt hitting the post with a free kick, Mel Bishop coming close with a well executed lob and disappointingly having a goal disallowed for disputable offside.

The score remained 0-0 at half time, with recent results the ladies team become increasingly frustrated leading to the second half performance being scrappy and desperate at times.

Goalkeeper Lisa Cihickelday produced two fine saves during the second half to ensure Fleet ladies had every chance of the win on the day.

Unfortunately the winning goal seemed to elude them on the day, the game finished 0-0 leaving Fleet ladies pleased to have stopped the losses and keeping a clean sheet but feeling disheartened at the draw in a game they should have easily of won.

A home fixture next week sees Fleet ladies take on Hendon Ladies in league action at the home ground AEI sports club Gravesend, 2.00pm kick off, all supporters welcome.

Fleet ladies are running coaching and fun sessions to get more girls involved in the game and to offer quality coaching to all ages and abilities. Ultimately the club aims is to start Gravesend and Northfleet girls teams for summer 2006. Qualified FA female coaches generated from the clubs player coach development scheme run all the sessions. The club are keen to hear from any players or adults that would like to help out and get involved in a variety of club roles including, coaches, managers, and administrative volunteers.

www.intheteam.com/gravesendladiesfc