Gillingham (H) Won 6-1
(Longhurst 3 (2 pens), Wake, Porter, Morgan K) 

With the game switched at the last minute to the University grounds, both teams did well to keep composed and produce a good game for the spectators.  Colchester were looking for revenge for their away defeat last March and started strongly forcing several corners, and that's how they opened the scoring when Hannah Porter's corner was headed home by skipper Emma Wake.  It wasn't too long before Porter scored as the ball cannoned off defenders in the box and she struck the ball home from 8 yards for 2-0.   Kayleigh Morgan was making some strong runs through the middle and down the right wing tormenting the Gillingham defenders.  One run ended with her being upended in the penalty area resulting in the first penalty of the match.  Kate Longhurst cooly stroked the ball into the corner of the net for a 3-0 lead.   Minutes before half time Kayleigh Morgan surged down the right wing and put over a perfect cross for Longhurst, who running at full pace met the ball with the full force of her head and gave the keeper no chance with the goal of the match. 

H-T 4-0

Within seconds of the second half, Gillingham had pulled one back when their number 8 controlled the ball superbly, turned the defender and scored with a clinical finish.  You could see the confidence spread through the Gillingham team as they started to cut out more chances, but Colchester were defending well and keeping them at bay.    Gillingham were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Jade Morgan tried a Harlem Globetrotter move, handling the ball in the area, but not within the sight of the referee.  The linesman flagged, but to no avail and the Gillingham players looked none too impressed.  Another goal then may well have inspired them to better things, but to be fair Colchester began to control the game again and create further chances.  In their next attack Porter gave the ball to Longhurst in her own half, who intended to pass to Emma Dunmore, but spotting Dunmore was offside, decided to take the ball  30 yards down the line, before looking up and spotting Kayleigh Morgan's run into the middle, she crossed the ball for Morgan to score from close range to finish off a great move.  With only 5 minutes left, Colchester wrapped it up when Laura Rhodes forced her way into Gillinghams penalty area, and the linesman spotted an infringement and Colchester were awarded another penalty.  Longhurst placed the ball into the opposite corner to make it 6-1 and finish with a hat trick.