by Max Meads, reporter

Gillingham FC’s Ladies Academy turned heads and caught the eyes of scouts on Wednesday, earning two wins against some top-quality opposition to make the semifinals of the National Football Youth League Cup at St. George’s Park.

The location of England’s training ground just north of Leicester meant it was an early start for the Gills- but with the way they played, one would be forgiven for thinking they lived round the corner, rather than over 200 miles away.

The Gills lost their first match 1-0 against tournament favourites Newcastle, but the venom in attack and solidarity in defence meant Newcastle had to work hard for their narrow win. The Gills quickly rebounded from this loss, beating a strong Burnley side 1-0 thanks to a goal from centre-back and captain Faith

Cullen-Cooper that sent the Gills into raucous celebration.

After a break, the Gills were edged out by Sunderland 1-0, but like with Newcastle, the Black Cats were made to work for their victory, with Gills strikers and midfielders troubling the Sunderland back-line. Playing a match straight afterward, the Gills beat Plymouth Argyle 1-0 with a strike from Kavanaugh that was met with cheers from the Gills team and bench. Gillingham were on top for the whole game, and were unlucky to not have scored more.

Gillingham’s 2 victories saw them into the semi-finals of the tournament, along with Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham. The draw for the semi-finals do not have a set date yet, but will be announced in due course, meaning the Gills may be in for a long trip up north.