Gillingham vs Brighton/QPR Matchday Programme

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME - £2

GILLINGHAM v BRIGHTON GILLINGHAM v QPR FA WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE THURSDAY 2ND OCTOBER 2014 KICK-OFF 7:45pm SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2014 KICK-OFF 2pm

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OFFICIAL CLUB CHARITY

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#ROARUSON Chairman:

Paul Scally

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Vice Chairman:

Michael Anderson

Editor: Charlotte Richardson

Non Executive Director:

Mike Quarrington

Designer: Paul Turvey

Associate Directors:

Yvonne Paulley

Regular Contributors: Julian Hart, John Seager , Amy

John Anderson

Nickalls

Colin Jarvis

Club Secretary: Manager:

Gwen Poynter

Simon Ratcliffe

Coach:

Bill Long

Club Physio:

Gary Hemens

Stadium Manager: Head Groundsman:

Safety Officer:

GILLINGHAM FOOTBALL CLUB Ltd MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Redfern Avenue, Gillingham, Kent ME7 4DD

John Carter Tony Provan

Images: Julian Hart Photography

Tel: 01634 300000 Fax: 01634 850986

Tony Payne

Head of Media and Marketing: Charlotte Richardson

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Deputy Media Manager:

Julian Hart

TWITTER:

Club Journalist:

John Seager

FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/GillinghamLadiesFC

@gillsladiesfc

Club Journalist:

Amy Nickalls

WEBSITE:

Club Official:

Paul Brown

YOUTUBE: GillsLadiesTV1

Club Official:

Martin Michelmore

www.gillinghamladiesfc.co.uk

02 THE HOME OF FOOTBALL IN KENT

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FROM THE CHAIRMAN

PAUL D.P. SCALLY Ladies and Gentleman, Girls and Boys it gives me great pleasure to give you a warm welcome to MEMS Priestfield Stadium.

The fixtures are coming in thick and fast. After a very tough away trip to Plymouth Argyle, we welcome both Brighton and Hove Albion WFC and Queens Park Rangers Ladies to Kent within three days of eachother.

I’d like to start by offering my well wishes to Jade Keogh who suffered a horrific injury during Sunday’s game.

I understand Jade was tremendously brave as the game was paused for over an hour while she received medical treatment.

resounding 6-2 win over Copsewood - we have welcomed Rachel Ahern back to the club. We’re still at a stage where we’re looking to strenghen our squad and it’s nice to welcome back a familiar face from last season.

These two home games will be a great test of the girls’ character following such a difficult afternoon only a few days ago. However, if the team continues to produce hard-working performances and stick together as a unit, I expect us to surprise a few people this season.

admirably in their own league.

With several away trips in succession. It’s been a baptism of fire into senior football for a team we’re proud to say is made up mainly of our Centre of Excellence graduates.

Our season of transition continues to gather pace and I thank you for your continued support for our ladies side please keep it coming and let’s see if we can continue our run of wins here at home.

Enjoy the game.

Up the Gills Ladies!

A mention also to our Reserves, who have been representing the club

Paul D P Scally Chairman

We of course thank our hosts for their support in ensuring Jade got the best care possible and I also extend my thanks to our staff and players who refused to leave Plymouth until they were sure Jade was comfortable. Hurry up and get well Jade. We hope to see you back in a Gills shirt soon.

Meanwhile, since our last game here at Priestfield - a GILLINGHAMFOOTBALLCLUB.COM 03

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GFC

Rachel

Ahern

autograph:

#ROARUSON

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FROM THE MANAGER

SIMON RATCLIFFE Welcome everyone, especially our visitors over the next couple of days - Brighton and Hove Albion WFC and Queens Park Rangers.

We find ourselves back in FA Women’s Premier League action just four days after our 20 plus hour trip to Plymouth Argyle.

Firstly, on behalf of the players and staff at Gillingham Ladies , must send our best wishes to Jade Keogh who suffered a dislocated ankle during Sunday’s match.

We were all in awe of Jade’s spirit during the ordeal. I was impressed with how our team managed to battle after witnessing such a nasty injury to their team-mate.

Sometimes things happen which put a match into perspective and after Jade was taken to hospital, I asked the girls, in difficult circumstances, to try and go out and enjoy the game.

Had certain things gone differently, I think the result could have too but I was pleased with our determination and great goals from Emma Tune and Ashlee Hincks.

I also must give great credit to our Reserve team who’ve been batlting away themselves with successive away trips to tough opposition.

This Sunday they travel again to Bedford and I wish them all the best I hope you enjoy our two games coming up. Simon

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BLUES NEWS

TUNE PRAISES GILLS TEAM SPIRIT ...We’ll get there in the end and are becoming stronger as a group...

Gillingham Ladies midfielder Emma Tune was proud of her team-mates after a tough trip to Plymouth Argyle saw the team return to Kent empty handed.

After play was suspended for an hour following a horrific injury to Jade Keogh, Tune admitted it was difficult for the team to re-focus.

“It’s never nice to witness any kind of injury during a match” Tune said, “Especially when it’s your team-mate and the nature of the injury. There’s no polite way of putting it, it was horrific and we were all deeply upset to see Jade in such pain.”

Saying that, Tune was quick to praise and highlight her teammates’ bravery and sense of humour despite the injury. “Jade was a soldier. After the initial shock of it all, she was laughing and cracking jokes with us – she wasn’t pleased with the first ambulance that turned up – she wanted something a bit better!”

gain the upper hand and play in the way we’re more accustomed and would like to play.”

“The girls were incredibly upset and shaken to see what happened to Jade but Simon and the staff pulled us together.”

“Something like that puts things into perspective so we wanted to go out and try to enjoy the rest of the game and put a performance Jade would be proud of.”

“We had a lot of young players who had to make a step up and not only play at this senior level but in really difficult circumstances. I think we played

the better football but we need to be better at putting the ball in the back of the net when we’re playing well.”

“Everyone knows we’re going through a period of transition but we’re getting there. Despite the result today, the way things have been conducted off the pitch, the treatment and travel is really pushing us forwards. We’ll get there in the end and are becoming stronger as a group.”

The final note was for Jade:“All of us are thinking and sending our best wishes to Jade. Given how strong she’s been today no doubt she’ll be back playing in a Gills shirt in no time and the sooner the better for us.”

“But seriously, how she managed to stay so composed is amazing. The whole team rallied around her, including our coaching staff and physio Chloe.

Everyone reacted really quickly as given the nature of the injury, we could all see it was very serious.”

Despite the shock and unnerving of the team, Tune felt she and her team-mates produced a good second half considering the turn the game took.

“We were very slow out of the blocks and building up to Jade’s injury we were just beginning to 06 THE HOME OF FOOTBALL IN KENT

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GILLS SUFFER DEFEAT TO ARGYLE Despite a stalwart performance, Simon Ratcliffe’s side suffer 3-2 defeat Gillingham Ladies endured a tough day at the office as they were beaten 3-2 defeat by Plymouth Arygle.

Plymouth tested Gillingham’s defence to see if they were on their toes following the five hour trip and delivered several long, searching passes towards Courtney Shanly’s goal.

Ashlee Hincks put great pressure on the Argyle keeper and centre back, causing the ball to fall centrally to Sophie Brown, who in a dangerous position, could get her head to the ball but only directing it comfortably to the goalie.

Plymouth began to control possession and thus the tempo of the game, with Gillingham struggling to replicate their strong display against Copsewood the Sunday before.

whistled over the crossbar, signalling the game’s best opportunity so far.

The match took a very different turn after 26 minutes, as Gills were beginning to get the ball down and enjoy more sustained periods of pressure. Keogh went in for a 50/50 tackle to win the ball back for Gills and after receiving a nudge in the air feel awkwardly.

Play was suspended for over an hour as an ambulance was called to aid Keogh. Keogh’s bravery and sense of humour throughout the ordeal gave her team-mates all the motivation they needed to put on a good performance and they were close to delivering a brilliant comeback.

after a strong 15 minutes was dramatically upstaged as Argyle caught Gills on the counter attack. Plymouth’s striker produced a fantastic curling effort to go beyond the outstretched Shanly.

Tune, tireless in midfield picked the ball the edge of the box and her shot towards goal was deflected into the back of the net.

Gills youngster Bonnie Long, in place of the injured Keogh, made a fantastic impression in defence, battling alongside her team-mates to put her body on the line in the battle to secure FA WPL points.

Plymouth extended their lead with a ruthless finish but consolation was provided when When play resumed, the visitors Hincks produced the goal of were understandably withdrawn the match with a quality right and Plymouth managed to footed finish 25 yards out.

Jade Keogh offered some take advantage as a loose ball restbite for Gills Ladies with a across midfield was swallowed Plymouth saw out the game galloping run down the right. up and the home side charged securing three valuable points.

After cutting in, the Gills winger towards goal. A fine finish gave hooked a dangerous ball into Plymouth the lead and the It proved to be a difficult the area which Galvin managed game fizzled out for half time. afternoon for the Gills to get on the end of but who looked to be building Argyle’s keeper reacted quickly Gillingham Ladies took momentum in the game, to snatch the ball away from advantage of the chance to but with a serious injury to danger. properly re-group and focus on Keogh, the game was put into the second half with manager perspective and ultimately the Argyle could have been Simon Ratcliffe rallying his side. Gills travelled back to Kent reduced to ten players when empty handed.

Hincks managed to find herself And the players responded between the two centre backs with a lively and determined Courtney Shanly, Lauren with a clear run on goal. Hincks’ opening passage of play.

Williams (c), Rachel Ahern, goal scoring opportunity was Tune almost got the Gills an Emma Michelmore, Lauren only stopped by a handball equaliser after a tenacious run Phillips, Emma Tune, Sophie which the referee punished with was finished with a right footed Brown, Emily Lyons, Jade a yellow card. shot that licked the top of the Keogh (B.Long), Ashlee Hincks, crossbar.

Kayleigh Galvin Hincks stepped up to take the subsequent free kick on the Gills had the wind knocked Unused sub: Manning edge of the box and her effort out of their sails however GILLINGHAMFOOTBALLCLUB.COM 07

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BLUES NEWS ...MEMS Priestfield Stadium hosts eight-goal thriller in front of hundreds of fans...

Amy Nickalls

Gillingham Ladies enjoyed their second game and second win at MEMS Priestfield Stadium with a 6-2 victory over Copsewood.

Both teams headed into the game off the back of a win and for the first 30 minutes it looked to be a very even match.

Gillingham played a good attacking game and were rewarded in the 35th minute when Natalie Crinean scored her first goal of the game. Excellent speed from Sophie Brown down the wing set up Crinean for a powerful right footed shot into the back of the net.

The second goal soon followed with more pace down the wing, this time from Ellie Manning, in her debut for the first team.

Manning got the ball into the box where it soon found Jade Keogh whose clinical finish made it 2-0.

The Gills’ defence was solid and they dealt with Copsewood’s captain up top very well. A shot on target from the opposite captain was cleared off the goal line by Lauren Phillips.

But Copsewood were not finished on the attack and they scored

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from a corner, taking the sail out of Gillingham’s wind.

Gillingham came back on at half time with a fresh burst of energy that Copsewood struggled to contain. Ashlee Hincks and and Crinean were linking up particularly well in their attacking play.

It wasn’t long before Hincks found the goal from outside the box to make it 3-1.

Annelle Massey came on for Manning on the 60th minute and joined the powerful duo Hincks and Crinean in some brilliant attacks.

Massey set up Crinean for Gills fourth goal, passing it to her from the half way line. A short run to the edge of the box and another powerful strike from Crinean beat the Copsewood goalkeeper.

The trio worked very well together upfront with support from the midfield, particularly Emma Tune who battled hard to gain possession for the Gills.

Gillingham Ladies were unfortunate to concede a second goal, deflated on the break soon after scoring again, with the very quick and hard working captain

of Copsewood getting between Lauren Williams and Emma Michelmore to prod past Shanly.

Goal number five was a product of some excellent teamwork from the front three. Crinean linked up with Hincks in the box who was under pressure from a Copeswood defender. Hincks very calmly passed the ball across the goal to Massey to score.

The final goal saw Michelmore set up Crinean who took a shot at goal that was blocked by the goal keeper. The ball found it’s way to Massey who returned the earlier favour to Hincks, setting her up for the final goal of the game and her brace.

Both teams worked hard on their attacking games with attempts at goal at both ends. It can only be described as an end to end game. But the excellent technical skill and team work shown by Gillingham proved too much for Copeswood.

Gillingham Ladies Courtney Shanly, Emma Michelmore, Ellie Manning (Annelle Massey), Lauren Phillips, Lauren Williams (c), Emma Tune, Sophie Brown, Louise Lorton Jade Keogh, Ashlee Hincks, Natalie Crinean

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fixtures and results FRONT

24th August

Tottenham Hotspur

BACK

FRONT

BACK

FRONT

BACK

FRONT

BACK

FRONT

BACK

0-3

Shanly Phillips Williams

Tune Michelmore

31st August Ebbsfleet United (Lge Cup)

15-0

Shanly Phillips Williams

Tune Michelmore

4th September Brighton and Hove Albion

3-1

Shanly

Brown Williams

Tune Michelmore

7th September Keynsham

2-1

Shanly Phillips Williams

Tune Michelmore

21st September Copsewood

6-2

Shanly

28th September Plymouth Argyle

3-2

Shanly

Phillips Phillips

Williams Williams

Tune Michelmore Tune

Michelmore

2nd October Brighton and Hove Albion 5th October Queens Park Rangers 26th October Charlton Athletic 2nd November Tottenham Hotspur 9th November Lewes 23rd November Copsewood 7th December Charlton Athletic 14th December Cardiff City 4th January Portsmouth 1st February West Ham 22nd February Queens Park Rangers 1st March Plymouth Argyle 22nd March Lewes 29th March West Ham 5th April Keynsham 12th April Portsmouth TBC Cardiff City (P-P)

10 THE HOME OF FOOTBALL IN KENT

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SUBSTITUTES FRONT

BACK

FRONT

BACK

FRONT

Goodall Lorton

Goodall Lorton

Goodall Crinean Farmer

Goodall Lorton

BACK

FRONT

BACK

FRONT

BACK

FRONT

BACK

Long

Brown

Farmer Keogh

Alabaster Carroll Yennaris Stroud Pilbeam

Long

Brown

Hincks

Keogh

Alabaster Carroll Yennaris Galvin

Lyons

Long

Hincks

Keogh

Alabaster Carroll

B.Long

Long

Brown

Hincks

Keogh

Galvin

Hincks

ore

Brown

Lorton

Crinean

re

Brown

Ahern

Galvin

Hincks

Keogh Manning

Massey

Keogh Lyons

B.Long

Galvin

Lyons

Manning

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14 15 BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION GILLINGHAM Courtney Shanly Imogen Alabaster Sophie Brown Megan Carroll Natalie Crinean Kiera DaulbyI Daneilla Farmer Kayleigh Galvin Sokhara Goodall Ashlee Hincks Jade Keogh Bonnie Long Charlotte Long Louise Lorton Emily Lyons Anelle Massey Emma Michelmore Hollie Musmeci Lauren Phillips Georgia Pilbeam Georgia Reece Rebecca Stroud Emma Tune Amie Wallace Lauren Williams Rachel Ahern

Faye Baker Vicky Ashton-Jones Emily Baker Paige Baker-Carroll Kirsty Barton Jay Blackie Charley Boswell Isabelle Burt Lauren Callaghan Claire Capon Charlotte Carter Ellie Chandler Catherine Cooper Deanna Cooper Orla Dimond Megan Fox Lisa Fulgence Felicity Gibbons Amy Green Charlotte Gurr Caroline Hodgson Rosie Kmita Chloe Lelliott Ellie Lock Charlotte Markham Charlotte Owen Sophie Perry Yasmin Poole Lucy Somes Amy Taylor

QUEENS PARK RANGERS Natalie Adams Ciara Allan Joanne Ayre Charmaine Benhem Jeta Bytyqi Sophie Cheadle Zemeka Clarke Sarah Cleary Fern Colepio Laura Cooper Sophie Fogarty Lauren Gage Melanie Gagnon Ashleigh Harte Chloe Julien Emma Kayser Carrie-Anne Layton Kesleigh Long Elly Maggs Lauren May Danielle Murphy Vanessa Nicholson Rachel O’Regan Kasha Petit Alison Read Gemma Rudman Stacey Sowden Sarah Staples Katie Wildind

NEXT HERE AT PRIESTFIELD COVENTRY LADIES Sunday 12th October 2014 Kick-off: 2:00pm

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