Fleet girls ready to tame Lions - EXCLUSIVE

EBBSFLEET UNITED are relishing the underdog tag as they lock horns with the giants of the Women’s game in the area, Millwall Lionesses, on Thursday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

LION TAMERS:  Ebbsfleet United must pull off a shock win if they're to win the Kent Women's Cup Final for the very first time  when they meet Millwall Lionesses at Sevenoaks Town's Greatness Park on Thursday night.
Photograph courtesy of www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk


The Fleet, who are currently in fourth place in the premier division of the London & South East Regional Women’s League, have reached their first ever Kent Women’s Cup Final and are on course to bring the first piece of silverware of the season back to Stonebridge Road.

Shaun Edwards’ side have yet conceded a goal en-rote to Greatness Park, having cruised past Teynham Gunners (9-0); Dover Athletic (10-0) and Maidstone Town (3-0).

They meet a Millwall side that have defeated Ramsgate (22-0); Aylesford (2-0) and Canterbury City (2-1).

The Fleet have an added incentive to win the showpiece final at the home of Kent League club Sevenoaks Town - Millwall Lionesses knocked them out of this competition 2-1 in the semi-finals last season.

“We are in a great position to do the double as we enter into the final parts of the season,” said club spokesperson Tina Martin, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I am pleased to say at this stage of the season is going well and to plan.

“We introduced many new players this season and have a new manager. Partnered with the consistency of keeping our team coach from last season and keeping the core of the squad together, we are moving forward in the right direction as a club.”

Despite the Fleet’s excellent form in this competition, they are clearly the underdogs for the final, but Martin has plenty of respect for the south London club.

The Lionesses are current holders having stole back the Kent Women’s Cup from arch-rivals Charlton, with a narrow 1-0 victory at Greatness Park last season, in a game that disappointed slightly as it failed to live up to previous encounters between the two teams.

The breakthrough came from a Claire Rafferty corner, which sat up perfectly for Dionne Lennon to head home.

Formed in 1971, Millwall Lionesses has been one of the stalwarts of the women’s game. The club has led the way becoming the first women’s team to affiliate to a professional men’s club and were pioneers of the Football in the Community Scheme that is now common place amongst football of all standing but unheard of in the 70s.

And Martin said: “Millwall are a long standing respected club in the ladies game, having reached many Kent Cup finals already and won a few so they have a strong tradition.

“They have a very good girls and ladies set up, running ladies teams, academies and centres of excellence and they have produced many top players.

“We like to think we are an up and coming club and can aspire to Millwall’s women and girls set up.

“They play their football two divisions above us.”

It has been an remarkable season for all at Ebbsfleet United.

Liam Daish’s men have reached a Wembley Stadium final for the very first time in the club’s history and will meet Torquay United in the FA Carlsberg Trophy Final on Saturday, 10^th May (2:30pm).

Also they’ve emulated the girls, meeting Cray Wanderers in the Kent Senior Cup Final next month.

Martin, meanwhile, says it’s one big happy family at Stonebridge Road.

“We are partnered with Ebbsfleet United’s men’s and youth sections and have started a girls team this year,” she said.

“The whole club is receiving a lot of local and national press at present with so many changes so all is going well.”

Martin, meanwhile, calls for the Fleet faithful to get themselves down to Sevenoaks to cheer on the team.

“We are hoping for a sea of red and white to support the ladies team and give the ladies a lift in the final,” she said.

“The main club are very supportive and we feel totally integrated in the Fleet set up. It is true we are financially independent and rely on sponsors for survival but we don’t see this as an issue.”

Tina Martin runs through the Fleet side as they aim to lift the Kent Women’s Cup for the very first time.

CLAIRE SHELVIN - HEAD COACH
Highly qualified and experienced coach, installs a winning mentality and approach. She’s taught us the only way is up, that’s why we’re in the final of the Cup!

SHAUN EDWARDS - MANAGER
As a team we sometimes drive him looney but he gives the team passion and drive, that’s why he’s the best manager alive!

KELLY PHILPOTT - Aged 18 - VERSATILE
Team captain who likes to hit the net, her left foot shots we will forget. The inspiration and heartbeat of the team, lifting the Cup is her dream.

FAYE BAKER - 17 - GOALKEEPER
This is our sarcastic keeper, only the best can beat her. A rugby tackle gave her fame, she’s now a crucial player to our game.

ANITA CHIDWICK - 26 - GOALKEEPER
She travels miles to play in goal for us, keeps clean sheets without a fuss. She’s even played at left-back, so talent she does not lack.

EMILY WELLS - 26 - LEFT-BACK, LEFT-MIDFIELD OR STRIKER
Whether up front or on our left side, she runs, tackles and plays with pride. A reliable and skilful player, always tries for the spectator.

VICKY MOORE - 23 - CENTRE BACK
She’s only recently transferred and already her voice can be heard. Although an excellent rear guard, she can also score from fifty yards.

REBECCA PATTENDEN - 27 - CENTRE BACK
She’s part of the team backbone, even though she’s not fully grown. Left-back is where she prefers.

TAMAR UPTON - 25 - RIGHT-BACK
Her background is from Malta, nothing about her we would alter. Runs and runs mile after mile all done willingly with a lovely smile.

CLAIRE GIBBONS - 20 - CENTRE BACK
She’s our only international signing, signed for her tough defending. For he it’s not football, it’s soccer, it’s not centre back it’s a stopper.

HARRIET HILLS - 18 - CENTRE BACK
Helped to keep 13 clean sheets, a defender that’s tough to beat. Her tackles will knock you for six but sometimes causes free-kicks.

KAYLEIGH WEEDING - 18 - LEFT-MIDFIELDER OR STRIKER
Winger who likes the ball at her feet, keeps going with defenders to beat. Runs down the left and into space, crosses and shoots with accuracy and pace.

HANNAH CHAMBERS - 26 - CENTRE MIDFIELD
Centre midfielder who gets in the way, always stops the opposition play. She runs and runs throughout the game, no other player could do the same.

LORRAINE GRINYER - 27 - CENTRE MIDFIELD
Club captain and playmaker, expert free-kick corner and penalty taker.

JULIETTE TEAGUE - 17 - RIGHT-WING
A class act down the right-wing, her shots will leave a sting. Her fines have cost a few quid and now she’s called karate kid.

VICKY WIPFLER - 18 - RIGHT-WING OR CENTRE MIDFIELD
To us she’s known as spike, there’s nothing to dislike. Their defence she will torment as she always gives 100 percent.

MELISSA BISHOP - 21 - STRIKER
Princess Melissa of Ebbsfleet United, her shots get the team and fans excited. Some shots go over the bar but she’s still our striking superstar.

KELLY CAMPBELL - 26 - STRIKER
From Millwall she came, she scores a goal a game. She even played with a dodgy toe but she still played like a pro.

AMANDA SPRY - CENTRE BACK
A veteran player of the club, always committed even if sub. Can tackle, pass and talk all day, always one to have her say.

TINA MARTIN - CLUB CO-ORDINATOR/MIDFIELDER
To one and all she is Ebbsfleet, organised, committed and never beat. Still got what it takes on the ball, an inspiration to us all.

Admission prices: £3 (adults) and £2 (children)

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game on Thursday night.

Club websites:

www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

www.sevenoakstownfc.org

Millwall Lionesses v Ebbsfleet United
Kent Women’s Cup Final
Thursday 10^th April 2008
Kick Off 7:30pm
At Sevenoaks Town FC, Greatness Park, Mill Lane, Seal Road, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5BX