For both sides the Ryman Women's Cup represents an opportunity to contest for a piece of silverware. Saw Gillingham FC Ladies play in the 1st Round of the competition a little over a month ago as they travelled up to Suffolk to take on Bury Town Ladies. Made short work of their lower league opponents coming away with a convincing 10-0 victory with Paige Baker-Carroll scoring 7 of their goals. Tonight they face higher league opponents themselves.
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies lost out to Charlton Athletic Women in the Ryman Women's Cup final last season and the FAWPL Southern Division side will fancy their chances of reaching the final and maybe going one better this time around. This is their 1st match in this years competition having had a bye in the 1st Round.
The venue for tonight's match Chatham Town FC, a nice little non league stadium with a clubhouse, bar and refreshments adjacent to a terraced stand behind one goal as you walk in through the turnstiles, with two covered seated stands running part way on either side of the pitch which itself is a good size. A cold but clear night, time to think about digging the hat out.
Gillingham FC Ladies starting XI - Sarah Quantrill, Lauren Williams (C), Madison North, Charlotte Thurston, Rachel Ahern, Emma Tune, April Bowers, Katie Hardaker, Ashleigh Loosemore, Paige Baker-Carroll & Kallie Balfour
subs - Lydia Wills, Jade Keogh, Fiona Constable, Imogen Alabaster.
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies starting XI - Barbara Holman, Sophie McLean, Molly Kmita, Jenna Schillaci (C), Alex Keown, Shannon Moloney, Meegan Wynne, Maya Vio, Wendy Martin, Katie O'Leary & Lucy Loomes.
subs - Bianca Baptiste, Rosie Kmita, Kelley Blanchflower & Lucia Leon.
It's Tottenham in there usual home kit colours, white shirts and socks with Navy shorts to kick off the 1st half with Gillingham wearing red tonight with the vertical blue and white stripe on the shirt and horizontal blue and white stripe on the right leg of their shorts. Players who have been involved with FAWSL 2 clubs this season in both starting line-ups, Sarah Quantrill on loan from Millwall Lionesses in goal for Gillingham, whilst Lucy Loomes from London Bees was starting for Tottenham in attack tonight.
A tentative start from both sides as they try to work the ball into the wide channels, Loomes on the right side for Tottenham having a run at Gillingham's Madison North, the left back getting the tackle in to rob her of the ball bring it out from the back tries to release Paige Baker-Carroll up the left as she looks to break into space on the left inside the Tottenham half, centre back Alex Keown gets across the pitch to halt her progress.
Shannon Moloney in the centre of midfield for Tottenham win the back for the visitor's spreads the play out to the right with Loomes available, driving inside this time looks to thread the ball into the box with Wendy Martin looking to get behind the Gillingham centre backs, Charlotte Thurston steps up to intercept the pass, Tottenham are putting a lot of work into hustling Gillingham's back line and midfield for the ball winning it back are looking to spread the play right or left early. Bombing forwards from left back covering a lot of grass out wide for Tottenham Sophie McLean gets the ball at her feet driving to the byline crosses the ball in towards the near post with Loomes the player closing in, Quantrill has come across to defend the angle gets hold of the ball 1st.
GOAL! Putting pressure on the Gillingham back four, Tottenham force a throw in deep in their territory on the right of the pitch, the ball is put into the area flashing across the face of goal, Martin is looking to get on the end of it with Gillingham captain Lauren Williams in close attendance the ball ends up in the back of the net turned in off Williams for and own goal 0-1.
15 minutes gone opportunities for Gillingham's attackers Baker-Carroll and Kallie Balfour are limited the ball not reaching them in the final 3rd, strong on the ball when she has it at her feet Baker-Carroll holds it up well on the left, turns her marker 20 yards out pushing inside sees Balfour in front of the D looks to set her up for a shooting opportunity, instead Keown lunges out a leg and takes the ball away from the striker.
Moloney on the ball plays the pass out to Loomes on the right side from half way she gets her head down and races forwards coming inside, Martin is making the run in front of her coming across to the right side of the area, Loomes threads the pass though into her path six yards out right of the goal Martin pulls the trigger, smashes her shot straight into Quantrill as the goalkeeper gets across to cover the post, Gillingham get the ball away.
GOAL! Can't keep it for long as Tottenham win it back on halfway over on the left side of the field Megan Wynne plays a great pass forwards over the Gillingham defence with Martin making another fantastic run to get in behind left of the area the ball falls nicely for her she can hit it on the run sends the shot low and hard across the area and into the back of the net 0-2.
Very competitive in the middle of the park, Katie O'Leary comes back into the heart of the action to win the ball back for Tottenham looks up sees Loomes making a run for her looking to run across the Gillingham defence and turn into the box from right to left, Williams stays with Loomes throws herself forwards to win the tackle.
Tottenham win a corner on the left is played in towards the near post, Martin rises the highest, knocks the ball down towards the edge of the area, falls to Keown who takes on the shot the ball cutting it's way through the bodies, rebounds off the goal post, Gillingham scramble it away for another corner this one on the right. Thurston gets in front of Martin this time to head the ball over for a 3rd corner, this one is cleared.
O'Leary with a powerful run coming in from the left wing as she drives towards the box gets into the area, getting closed down squeezes the ball out to the edge of the area with Mayo Vio available in space, goes for goal a looping effort not enough height to trouble Quantrill who plucks it down for a comfortable save.
Emma Tune comes across to the left wins the ball for Gillingham looks to release Baker-Carroll down the wing, Keown comes across to slide in win the ball Baker-Carroll tumbling over her, a good tackle however Keown stays down in a lot of pain needs treatment holding her ankle play is paused. Is able to continue, Gillingham lose the ball from the throw Tottenham counter attack Wynne almost sending Loomes through, Thurston the only player between her and the box gets the timing of her challenge spot on. Quantrill has to race out to the edge of her area smother the ball at the feet of the onrushing Martin after O'Leary plays the through ball wide left.
Out of nothing Gillingham get bodies forwards as Katie Hardaker gets onto the ball in the centre plays a great pass into Tune running towards the Tottenham box right side she takes on the shot early sending it across the goal face leaving Tottenham goalkeeper Barbara Holman stranded, she turns to see the ball hit the bottom of the far post before the visitors get it clear.
Tune on the ball drives over the halfway line, Baker-Carroll arm up wants the ball played into her path on the left getting it her 1st touch gives her a yard on Tottenham captain Jenna Schillaci the angle is acute as she shoots inside the box looking to put the ball across Holman the keeper gets down makes the save hold onto the ball. Tottenham are forced into making a chance as Vio is down in the middle of the park, can't carry on Bianca Baptiste comes on goes out wide right with Loomes pushed forwards Martin dropping deeper into the centre of midfield.
GOAL! With half-time fast approaching Tottenham extend their lead Loomes closing down the Gillingham defence inside their own box robs them of the ball comes to the feet of O'Leary left of the goal hits the shot plenty of pace into the back of the net 0-3.
Into 1st half injury time Ashleigh Loosemore brings the ball down the right for Gillingham, players racing forwards with her Baker-Carroll is on that side of as the ball comes to her she breaks into the box shoots, Holman makes the blocking save at her near post the ball flies back out into the centre of the box Tottenham don't clear, Gillingham regain the ball Bowers with the shot from outside the box is heading for the top corner, Holman throws herself up into the air turns the ball wide for a corner. Tottenham defend the set piece.
A tentative start from both sides as they try to work the ball into the wide channels, Loomes on the right side for Tottenham having a run at Gillingham's Madison North, the left back getting the tackle in to rob her of the ball bring it out from the back tries to release Paige Baker-Carroll up the left as she looks to break into space on the left inside the Tottenham half, centre back Alex Keown gets across the pitch to halt her progress.
Shannon Moloney in the centre of midfield for Tottenham win the back for the visitor's spreads the play out to the right with Loomes available, driving inside this time looks to thread the ball into the box with Wendy Martin looking to get behind the Gillingham centre backs, Charlotte Thurston steps up to intercept the pass, Tottenham are putting a lot of work into hustling Gillingham's back line and midfield for the ball winning it back are looking to spread the play right or left early. Bombing forwards from left back covering a lot of grass out wide for Tottenham Sophie McLean gets the ball at her feet driving to the byline crosses the ball in towards the near post with Loomes the player closing in, Quantrill has come across to defend the angle gets hold of the ball 1st.
GOAL! Putting pressure on the Gillingham back four, Tottenham force a throw in deep in their territory on the right of the pitch, the ball is put into the area flashing across the face of goal, Martin is looking to get on the end of it with Gillingham captain Lauren Williams in close attendance the ball ends up in the back of the net turned in off Williams for and own goal 0-1.
15 minutes gone opportunities for Gillingham's attackers Baker-Carroll and Kallie Balfour are limited the ball not reaching them in the final 3rd, strong on the ball when she has it at her feet Baker-Carroll holds it up well on the left, turns her marker 20 yards out pushing inside sees Balfour in front of the D looks to set her up for a shooting opportunity, instead Keown lunges out a leg and takes the ball away from the striker.
Moloney on the ball plays the pass out to Loomes on the right side from half way she gets her head down and races forwards coming inside, Martin is making the run in front of her coming across to the right side of the area, Loomes threads the pass though into her path six yards out right of the goal Martin pulls the trigger, smashes her shot straight into Quantrill as the goalkeeper gets across to cover the post, Gillingham get the ball away.
GOAL! Can't keep it for long as Tottenham win it back on halfway over on the left side of the field Megan Wynne plays a great pass forwards over the Gillingham defence with Martin making another fantastic run to get in behind left of the area the ball falls nicely for her she can hit it on the run sends the shot low and hard across the area and into the back of the net 0-2.
Very competitive in the middle of the park, Katie O'Leary comes back into the heart of the action to win the ball back for Tottenham looks up sees Loomes making a run for her looking to run across the Gillingham defence and turn into the box from right to left, Williams stays with Loomes throws herself forwards to win the tackle.
Tottenham win a corner on the left is played in towards the near post, Martin rises the highest, knocks the ball down towards the edge of the area, falls to Keown who takes on the shot the ball cutting it's way through the bodies, rebounds off the goal post, Gillingham scramble it away for another corner this one on the right. Thurston gets in front of Martin this time to head the ball over for a 3rd corner, this one is cleared.
O'Leary with a powerful run coming in from the left wing as she drives towards the box gets into the area, getting closed down squeezes the ball out to the edge of the area with Mayo Vio available in space, goes for goal a looping effort not enough height to trouble Quantrill who plucks it down for a comfortable save.
Emma Tune comes across to the left wins the ball for Gillingham looks to release Baker-Carroll down the wing, Keown comes across to slide in win the ball Baker-Carroll tumbling over her, a good tackle however Keown stays down in a lot of pain needs treatment holding her ankle play is paused. Is able to continue, Gillingham lose the ball from the throw Tottenham counter attack Wynne almost sending Loomes through, Thurston the only player between her and the box gets the timing of her challenge spot on. Quantrill has to race out to the edge of her area smother the ball at the feet of the onrushing Martin after O'Leary plays the through ball wide left.
Out of nothing Gillingham get bodies forwards as Katie Hardaker gets onto the ball in the centre plays a great pass into Tune running towards the Tottenham box right side she takes on the shot early sending it across the goal face leaving Tottenham goalkeeper Barbara Holman stranded, she turns to see the ball hit the bottom of the far post before the visitors get it clear.
Tune on the ball drives over the halfway line, Baker-Carroll arm up wants the ball played into her path on the left getting it her 1st touch gives her a yard on Tottenham captain Jenna Schillaci the angle is acute as she shoots inside the box looking to put the ball across Holman the keeper gets down makes the save hold onto the ball. Tottenham are forced into making a chance as Vio is down in the middle of the park, can't carry on Bianca Baptiste comes on goes out wide right with Loomes pushed forwards Martin dropping deeper into the centre of midfield.
GOAL! With half-time fast approaching Tottenham extend their lead Loomes closing down the Gillingham defence inside their own box robs them of the ball comes to the feet of O'Leary left of the goal hits the shot plenty of pace into the back of the net 0-3.
Into 1st half injury time Ashleigh Loosemore brings the ball down the right for Gillingham, players racing forwards with her Baker-Carroll is on that side of as the ball comes to her she breaks into the box shoots, Holman makes the blocking save at her near post the ball flies back out into the centre of the box Tottenham don't clear, Gillingham regain the ball Bowers with the shot from outside the box is heading for the top corner, Holman throws herself up into the air turns the ball wide for a corner. Tottenham defend the set piece.
Half-time Gillingham FC Ladies 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
A clinical display from Tottenham in the 1st half looking dangerous whenever they attack finding space on the flanks haven't given the Gillingham defence any time on the ball the home side struggling to build anything from the back. At 2-0 down there were signs Gillingham might find a way back into the game before Tottenham added a 3rd goal late on, a lot to do for the home side as they kick off the 2nd half.
Both sides have made a change at the start of the 2nd half both substituting a centre back, Keown is off for Tottenham with Rosie Kmita on at left back as Sophie McLean moves into the middle of defence. Charlotte Thurston is the player off for Gillingham with midfielder Jade Keogh on, the move sees April Bowers drop into the defence.
1st chance in the 2nd half falls to Tottenham with Loomes racing onto a ball lofted into the left channel, on the run hits the shot on the half volley from outside the box drills the ball wide of goal. Loosemore has some space to exploit out on the right drives forwards crosses the ball early sweeping it across the face of the six yard box, Baker-Carroll is sprinting into the area to get there throws her boot forwards but can't get anything on the ball to turn it home. On the over lap from left back substitute Rosie Kmita gets clear of the Gillingham defence her 1st touch a little heavy gives Quantrill a chance coming out to the edge of her area to slide in and claim the ball at her feet.
A frantic start to the 2nd half the action at both ends of the pitch, Loomes is through after a long pass dropped into the Gillingham box, Madison North gets across in front of her defends well getting onto the ball and carrying it out to safety. Wynne is caught late by Bowers as the centre back sets out of defence to deal with the next Tottenham attack, the referee plays advantage with Wynne's ball setting up Kmita racing through on the left bursting into the box blasts her shot straight into Quantrill who holds onto it.
Great ball control from Loomes outside the Gillingham area turns inside from left to right head over the ball gets the shot away 20 yards out a great strike destined for the top right hand corner off the goal, takes a superb save from Quantrill to get her fingers on the ball tip it onto the crossbar and over for a corner kick. The corner is delivered into the crowded near post drops down into the pack a scramble ensues before Gillingham launch it clear.
GOAL! Gillingham pull a goal back, just 6 minutes have gone in the 2nd half, Loosemore out on the right gets in behind the Tottenham defence bursts down the line before sending the cross in low along the front of the area, Baker-Carroll is in a central position her back to goal shields the ball well has Balfour out to her right plays the pass out to her, Balfour goes for goal hitting the shot across Holman and into the far corner 1-3.
GOAL! No sooner have Gillingham got themselves a goal back they make it 2! Bowers stepping out of defence intercepts a Tottenham pass plays it into Keogh on halfway she passes it forwards into Hardaker who looks to slide Baker-Carroll through beyond the Tottenham defence making a run across the D is bundled over, the referee blows up, from my position I thought it was a penalty at 1st however it's a free kick right on the edge of the box instead. North is the player over the ball, goes for goal a well struck set piece up and over the wall and into the top corner of the net 2-3. Game on.
Gillingham make a 2nd change bringing off Balfour with Lydia Wills joining Baker-Carroll in attack. A much more even contest 2nd half, Tottenham win a free kick on halfway wide left, Schillaci to deliver the ball sends it into Martin inside the D she leaps knocks it down with Loomes wide of her left of the goal inside the box gets her head on the ball directs her effort wide of goal. Breaking up a Gillingham attack the ball is played into Martin inside their opponents half is falling as she looks to turn and play the through for Loomes racing out to the left, Ahern comes across to defend, Loomes shifts the ball between her feet and turns inside, Ahern stays on her keeping her out of the box, Loomes gets the shot away, North is across to help Ahern and gets her body in the way of the shot deflects it wide for a corner which the home side clear.
GOAL! Tottenham have a throw on the left the ball is played down the wing for O'Leary 3 Gillingham players are drawn towards her as she holds it up before nutmegging the closest player giving her room to play the ball back to Loomes coming to her left of the area she looks to drive across the face again goes for the shot low with the pace to take it across Quantrill and nestle in the bottom corner of the goal 2-4.
GOAL! Just as Tottenham give themselves a 2 goal cushion, Gillingham hit back, with Tune travelling out to the right side of the pitch whips her cross along the face of the goal, Baker-Carroll is there along with a Tottenham defender not sure who got the final touch to set the ball over the line but I'm sure Baker-Carroll will be happy to claim it 3-4.
Final change for Gillingham with Fiona Constable coming on for Ashleigh Loosemore. Tottenham go forwards win a throw on the left inside the Gillingham half, Loomes wants it, turns inside sends the square ball into Moloney 30 yards out, has Wynne to her right rolls the ball into her path, Wynne tees up the shot puts the ball straight into Quantrill's gloves.
Loomes driving into the box from the left is denied a shot on goal as Williams slides in to put the ball behind for a corner kick. Schilaci plays the set piece in towards the near post six yards out Martin leaps to head the ball, turns it over the bar. Gillingham give away another free kick on half way wide left again, Schillaci looks to deliver the ball to the far post this time, Loomes gets clear of everyone her header takes the ball wide of the post.
GOAL! 10 minutes of normal time left to play, Loomes is causing all sorts of problems for the Gillingham defence harrying them on the ball a back pass is played back to Quantrill, lacks the pace to reach Quantrill, Loomes is after it, the goalkeeper comes throws herself down to get hold of the ball a yard inside the box, the referee has no choice but to awards an indirect free kick to Tottenham. Gillingham put everyone back on the goal in front of Quantrill. Martin with her back to goal shifts the ball to her left with Loomes in front of her to hit the shot, smashes it through the bodies in front of her to hit the back of the net 3-5.
Gillingham press hard for another goal, Williams with a ball over the top for Baker-Carroll, Holman races out of her box to kick the ball away. Molly Kmita with a great run on the right for Tottenham plays the ball into the run of Martin in the middle blasts the shot on the run outside the box lifts the strike over the crossbar.
The game finishes a frantically and fast paced as it started but neither side can find another goal as the final whistle blows and Tottenham book their place in the Ryman Women's Cup semi-finals with a 5-3 win.
What a game, great entertainment to watch, 8 goals scored Tottenham having the better of the 1st half by far going in at the break 3-0 to the good. Gillingham did much better 2nd half fighting back to 2-3 then 3-4 to make for a thrilling finish.
Two more semi-finalists were sorted this week to, played on Tuesday night, holders Charlton Athletic Women beating Essex Women's Division One leaders Harlow Ladies 10-0 whilst Herne Bay Ladies beat Carshalton Athletic Ladies 4-1.
Had a feeling this match would be a good one to watch, wasn't disappointed, thanks to Gillingham and Tottenham for their help with the teams.
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