Gillingham Ladies started the 2018-19 FA Women’s National League Southern season with a hard fought point against promotion tipped Coventry United Ladies on Sunday afternoon.
Gillingham Ladies manager Jack Wheeler handed league debuts to three players in his starting eleven, while two made their Gills’ bow from the substitutes bench later on in the game.
As the game kick off it was the Gills who started the brighter of the two teams. Daisy Monaghan was fouled on the left wing and Yasmin Poole’s delivery of the free kick was into the danger area. Sue Wood punched clear for Coventry but the ball fell to Monaghan, but the Gills midfielder’s effort was straight back at the keeper.
Gills maintained early pressure and as the ball bounced around the Coventry defence, Emma Sherwood tried an ambitious effort to catch the keeper out from 25 yards but sailed over the crossbar of the Coventry goal.
Coventry made good response and retaliated to the Gills opening play, first almost taking advantage of a free kick on the edge of the Gills penalty area, but Helen Dermody sent the effort over the crossbar. Following that, the closest effort of the first half fell to the visitors. Lois Jefferies made a smart turn inside the penalty area to free space for a shot, but the forwards effort was a fraction wide of the far post.
HALF TIME: GILLINGHAM LADIES 0 COVENTRY UNITED LADIES 0
After the interval, it took a fine save from Gills Ladies goalkeeper Courtney Shanly to stop Gauntlett as the forward broke through one on one.
Gills second half substitute Breon Grant carved out a chance, catching Coventry on the counter attack the forward’s shot was over the target.
Coventry kept up the tempo and Gauntlett tried an acrobatic overhead kick but the effort was no trouble to Shanly and wide of the mark.
Gills defence was strong to hold off a final onslaught from the visiting side and respectably earn a point on the opening day of the season.
FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM LADIES 0 COVENTRY UNITED LADIES 0
Gillingham Ladies: Courtney Shanly, Yasmin Poole, Vanisha Patel (Sammy Booker 64′), Ellie Manning, Millie Waud, Daisy Monaghan, Sharna Giordani (Harriet Clark 70′), Maddison Farrand, Grace Seely, Lydia Huntley, Emma Sherwood (Breon Grant 60′)
Unused Subs: Kylie Manktelow
Coventry United Ladies: Sue Wood, Jenna Roberts, Chenise Austin, Helen Dermody, Nikki Miles, Laura McGlone, Ellie White, Marie Gauntlett, Lois Jefferies, Amy Wathan, Jade Brook
Subs: Yasmine Klucis, Leah Seivwright, Lucy Stead
Att: 49
Photo credit to http://www.kentproimages.co.uk