Two goals in a nine minute spell in the second half gave Crystal Palace Ladies the points over Gillingham at Hayes Lane this afternoon.
After earning a hard fought point in the draw against West Ham United Ladies last week, Gills manager Jack Wheeler named an unchanged starting eleven.
As the game began, a fairly balanced opening quarter of an hour ensued between the two sides. Each not wanting to gift an early opportunity.
The hosts came closest to an opening goal first. Ellie Bailes was fouled by Millie Waud on the edge of the penalty area. Ciara Sherwood sent her effort over the crossbar.
Gills goalkeeper Courtney Shanly tipped a shot from Gemma Bryan past the post as the Palace forward pressed pass the Gills defence.
Gills nearly sprung a surprise as Harriet Clark tried a long range effort but saw it fly over the crossbar.
Half an hour into the tie and after a loose penalty appeal from Crystal Palace, Ellie Stenning followed up on the ball and narrowly missed the target.
Following that, Palace central midfielder Ciara Sherwood took control of the ball in the middle and tried her luck from twenty five yards. Aiming for the top corner she looped the effort over the crossbar.
Before the break, Gills tried to catch the hosts on the counter attack and Jade Keogh and Kallie Balfour combined to push forward. Balfour set up Keogh but her shot was straight at Palace goalkeeper Megan Lynch.
HALF TIME | CRYSTAL PALACE LFC 0 GILLINGHAM LFC 0
After the restart Palace broke the deadlock eight minutes in. Gemma Bryan found Ellie Stenning at the far post and was able to tap in at close range. 1-0
Palace clinical spell saw them double their lead nine minutes later. Stenning and Bryan combining again, Stenning turning provider with a square ball across the six yard box for Bryan to finish. 2-0
After the goals Gills looked to find a way back into the game but the hosts would hold out strong. Bryan almost added to her tally if not for Courtney Shanly’s fantastic save. Millie Waud blocked the follow up effort and cleared to safety.
As the closing minutes ticked on, former Gills player Nikita Whinnet struck a shot on goal but Shanly was alert to the danger and dealt with it at ease.
FULL TIME | CRYSTAL PALACE LFC 2 (Stenning 53′, Bryan 62′) GILLINGHAM LFC 0
Crystal Palace Ladies: Megan Lynch, Pam McRoberts, Sarah Jones, Ellie Bailes, Rosie Paye, Freya Holdaway, Ciara Sherwood, Gemma Bryan, Nikita Whinnett, Ellie Stenning, Lilli Maple
Crystal Palace Ladies Subs: Jade Davenport, Roschelle Shakes, Tia Fureman, Rose Hemans, Megan Chandler
Gillingham Ladies: Courtney Shanly, Charlie Thurston, Millie Waud, Emily Symonds, Lottie Klatt, Grace Seely, Katie Flack, Sharna Giordani (Niamh Jestin 57′), Harriet Clark (Bethany Nugent 83′), Jade Keogh (Aileen Williams 86′), Kallie Balfour
Gillingham Unused Subs: Davies, Cullen-Cooper
Pictures supplied by Kent Pro Images.