Gillingham Ladies Academy are waiting to find out who they will face in the final of the Under-19 National Football Youth League Cup.

The team is on a high after recently beating the Sunderland Girls Academy in the semi-finals of the competition.

A Scarlett Kelly hat-trick earned them a place in the final, winning 3-1 at the Academy of Light in Sunderland.

Kelly had put the Gills ahead just before the break after a deflected free-kick wrong-footed the Sunderland keeper.

She doubled the lead in the second half with a great strike, curling an effort over the keeper after turning her defender on the edge of the box to create an opportunity. Kelly completed her hat-trick after Sunderland failed to clear a long ball and the Gills player was on hand to stab the ball home.

Reacting to the win, former Gills player and academy manager Craig Stone said: “I’m massively proud of the ladies’ performance. They showed quality, desire to be successful and the willingness to graft for each other. National final it is.”

Stone added: "The girls have been superb all season and sit top of both their AOC and National leagues that they compete in also.

"This achievement just continues to exceed expectations and is an indication as to the good things the club are doing in building the Girls Academy.

"The girls thoroughly deserve their recognition and successes as they are highly talented, well driven and they all have a great future ahead of them.

Goalscoring hero Kelly saluted her team-mates, tweeting: “Outstanding from the girls; such an amazing experience.”

The other semi-final between the Newcastle United Foundation and Durham Women takes place on February 13.

The Girls Academy will be playing a National Youth League game at Priestfield later this month, on Wednesday, February 27, against Plymouth Argyle. It's free entry with a 3.30pm kick off and the youth team will be playing a game beforehand, at 12pm.