The Gills Girls Academy begin the season with a win
Despite training together as a group just three times beforehand, Gillingham FC’s Girls Academy began their season with an impressive 5-1 victory over Cray Valley on September 11.
Within the opening 10 minutes, it was clear that the Gills youngsters were the better team, and only a refereeing decision to rule out Megan Maslak’s goal denied them an early lead.
However, Rikki Turner scored a brilliant goal from outside the area to make it 1-0 after 25 minutes, before Maslak scored twice in the five minutes before half-time to put the Gills in control.
“We went into half-time with smiles on our faces knowing that we are winning our first game as a team,” said captain Jade Tinsley. “We went out into the second half after some encouraging words from coaches Coxy and Georgia [Ian Cox and Georgia Bowie,] and there was some great play between us throughout.”
Maslak scored another goal straight from kick-off and, despite Valley pulling a goal back shortly after the hour, Annie Colston sealed the victory with the team’s fifth minutes later.
Tinsley added: “As captain, I am very proud of all the girls in our first game we have ever played together. Yes, some of us may have played with each other before, but never as a team with everyone else.
“For us to win 5-1 after just three training sessions together, all I can say is they’re a great bunch of girls to have shared the first game with.”