Womens F.A. Cup 3rd Round,
Kick off - 2:08pm.
Scorer: Charlotte Gurr (pen 18)
Line-ups:
Forest: Kinnerley, McKechnie, Greenan, Griffin, Kennaugh, Hollingsworth, Bell, Thomas, Howard, Greaves, Hughes. Subs: Allen, Merritt, Meade, Sullivan, Grimadell.
Gills: Baker, Davis, Carlton, Blackie (c), Ahern, D.Cooper, Tune, C.Long, Gibbons, Gurr, Whinnett. Subs: E.Wood, L.Fulgence, J.Keogh, L.Williams, L.Phillips, C.Cooper, C.Shanley.
Met up with Richard "Wanderer" Lane and "Deadly" Derek inside the ground - and we all expressed our surprise that there was no gate. So, we had a couple of hours entertainment for just the cost of a programme - bargain!
As we walked to the pitch, it was evident that it wasn't in the best of conditions - mud bath in the goal areas and it was impossible to make out the centre circle.
The pitch was heavy to say the least, but the girls made light work of it did well to give us such a good game
I've watched Forest Ladies a couple of times this season, and they impressed on both occasions. Not this time unfortunately - their opponents were far too strong and bossed just about every area of the pitch. Danielle Carlton was superb in the Gills' defence and was my choice for MOM.
Both teams have very similar records in their respective WPL divisions, and there was not a lot of chance of a goalfest.
Forest: Womens Premier League Northern Div
P9 W6 D2 L1 F24 A9 Pts 20
Gills: Womens Premier League Southern Div
P11 W8 D2 L1 F32 A7 Pts 26
It looked on paper as though one goal might settle this tie, and it did. After Forest had pressured the Gills defence early doors, after 18 minutes a neat attacking move by the visitors culminated with centre-forward Fliss Gibbons being upended by Reds keeper Vanessa Kinnerley. The Referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, and to be fair, there were no protests from any of the home players.
Up stepped CHARLOTTE GURR to take the kick and the no. 10 gave Kinnerley no chance from 12 yards.
Forest tried their hardest to get back into the game, but the Gills back-line was solid and keeper Faye Baker was hardly troubled at all. F-T 0-1
The reward for the Gills is visit from either Preston NE or Yeovil.
Admission: £0
Programme: £1
Attendance: H/C 46
