Superpowers Arsenal are coming to Chatham to play Gillingham Ladies'

Some of the top women players in the Country are heading for Kent in the next ten days, as both defending Women's Super League Champions and Women's FA Cup holders Arsenal, along with their West London Super League rivals Chelsea have both agreed to play what for them will be pre-season friendlies against Gillingham Ladies.
 
 

Chelsea were supposed to be first up at Chatham Town tomorrow evening, but sadly it has joined the ever growing list of postponements due to the Big Freeze, as in their squad, the west Londoners are some of the most exciting players in the Ladies game who will be using the game against the Gills as the start to their warm up campaign to the second Super League season which begins over the Easter weekend in early April.

When the two sides met last season, the Gills (who play in the Southern Premiership but have Super League aspirations) were edged out in a spirited and entertaining contest by two goals to one.

So if the game beats the current bad weather (and judging from the Tuesday forecast there is a chance, the game gave the Gills the perfect chance for revenge - a chance that hopefully the Gillingham Ladies will still get as the two clubs are trying to arrange a new date for the game.

This now means that the Gills Ladies next game, on Wednesday 15^th February, will see the Champs come to town.

Originally scheduled for the day after, the game was moved forward 24 hours at the request of Arsenal as they head for a pre-season trip to Scotland on Friday morning, and by playing on Wednesday, the Champions have guaranteed to bring a full first team squad to Maidstone Road.

With the start of the defence of their Super League title looming and their Quarter Final of the Women's European Champions League against IFK Gothenburg just a few weeks away, Arsenal will definitely be looking to get into their stride very quickly which will prove the biggest possible test for the Gills Ladies.

Speaking before the weather forced the postponement (for now) of the game with Chelsea, Gills Ladies Chairman, Martin Andrews, said, "It’s a great opportunity for football lovers of Kent to see top quality International players. It’s also a great showcase for women's and girls’ football.

“We are delighted to be able to host these to giants of women's football, and help them prepare for the second Women's Super League season, whilst also preparing ourselves for the final end of our season which sees us look to finish in our highest ever league position, and continue to go as far as we can in The FA Cup, and look to regain the Kent Cup as we face Charlton Athletic in the final."

Ticket prices on the night:
£5 (adults)
£2.50 (under 16s and concessions)

Visit Gillingham Ladies’ website:  www.gillinghamladies.clubfans.co.uk  

Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net  

Gillingham Ladies  v  Arsenal Ladies
Friendly Match
Wednesday 15^th February 2012
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6LR