Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No12 2022-23

Dulwich Hamlet 1 Gillingham 2
Dulwich Hamlet gave a record crowd at their
Champion Hill home a performance to be proud of
but it was Gillingham who reached the Third
Round of the Vitality Women's FA Cup with a 2-1
victory. Hamlet made light of the two tier gap
between the clubs and went toe to toe with their
visitors for long periods of an absorbing contest.
The hosts, roared on throughout by the
inventive songs and chants of the Pepper Army fan
group and the vast majority of the 631 crowd,
opened brightly with an early corner but it was the
quality of the Gills' set piece delivery which created
the first real chances with a header narrowly wide
then another which struck the near post and
rebounded into play before being scrambled clear.
The teams traded superb goals in the middle Georgia Griffin battles with Ella Wales-Bonner
section of the opening half. Gillingham took the lead (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
when Georgia Griffin measured a 30-yard lofted
effort beyond Saskia Reeves-Priestly but Hamlet responded with an Erin Corrigan
equaliser. Moving down the right wing, Corrigan lifted the ball over Cara Davies from a
tight angle with a perfect strike on the half hour.
Lifted by this success, the hosts piled pressure on the FAWNL Southern Premier
Division team's back line which remained solid during the remainder of a vibrant opening
45 minutes from both sides.
Gillingham did not take long to regain the lead on the restart. The goal was started
and finished through fine work by Breon Grant with a run and cross then a fine curling
drive when the ball was half cleared back to her on 48 minutes.
Hamlet were in no way discouraged and continued to play constructive passing
football but were met with a disciplined and strong Gillingham defence. One of the best
moves of the match carved out a shooting opportunity for Sophie Manzi but Davies was
equal to the low effort from the edge of the area.
As Hamlet pushed on in search of a leveller, Gillingham were able to exploit the
spaces on the counter to go close to a third to make the game safe. Reeves-Priestly made a
superb reaction save to tip over a point blank effort whilst substitute Rhia Gall made a goal
saving sliding block as the match moved into additional time.
Dulwich Hamlet, eighth in the London & South East Regional League Premier
Division table. gave a very strong and impressive display for their amazing support but fell
just short against well disciplined and organised opponents who knew they had been in a
real battle to reach the Third Round of the Cup.
Dulwich Hamlet: Saskia Reeves-Priestley, Madi Parsonson, Chana Hinds, Brit Saylor,
Sophie Manzi, Rebecca May, Ceylon Hickman, Erin Corrigan, Ella Wales-Bonner, Minnie
Cruttwell, Lily Price. Subs: Lucy Monkman, Mia Cruickshank, Abby Davies, Rhea Gall.
Gillingham: Cara Davies, Kalani Peart, Grace Coombs, Georgia Griffin, Kara
Fordjour, Niamh Jestin, Megan Maslak, Breon Grant, Chloe Copsey, Phoebe Leitch, Amy
Haynes. Subs: Georgia Pearch, Maddie Farrand, Ylenia Carabott, Grace Harrison,
Valentine Pursey, Mel Espinosa, Kara
Richardson.
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