Five second half goals for Gillingham was enough as they came from behind to make it to the Semi Final of the Kent Senior Cup. 

Goals from Regan Charles-Cook, John Akinde, Jordan Graham and Toby Bancroft cut out Curtis Cumberbatch’s early first half goal.

Dover got off to the perfect start as they scored inside the first two minutes when Cumberbatch picked up a loose ball in the box after a defensive mistake allowed him through on goal to poke past the goalkeeper. 

Jai Reason almost doubled Whites’ lead when his shot from the edge of the box went across the goal, but just wide of the post. 

As the clock ticked over the half hour mark, Yusuf Mersin denied Gillingham the chance to equalise after making a great save from Charles-Cook who had been put through on goal after a pass from Ben Pringle.

As the half was coming to an end, Gillingham must’ve thought they were going to be level when Charles-Cook fired towards goal from close range, but another superb save from Mersin denied them the equaliser.

It was a case of third times the charm for Charles-Cook as he did equalise for Gillingham in dubious fashion as his shot from inside the box took a big deflection before going over Mersin, with the goalkeeper having no chance. 

Akinde completed the turnaround for The Gills five minutes later after a defensive mistake allowed the striker to smash the ball into the net. 

Gillingham made it three with 20 minutes to go after great work from Akinde down the left hand side, before crossing into Charles-Cook who passed across the box to Graham who smashed his shot into the top corner. 

Dover almost got one back when a free kick was played into the box towards Paul Rooney, who knocked it across goal to Dominic Poleon, but the attacker couldn’t keep his shot down as it flew over the bar. 

Charles-Cook got his second of the game with a minute to play when his shot went over the head of the stranded Mersin to wrap up the game. 

Bancroft made it worse for Whites in stoppage time as a ball over the top landed at the substitute who tapped it around Mersin. 

Dover line up: Mersin, Passley, Lokko, Reason (L’Ghoul 67’), Yussuf (Poleon 73’), Cumberbatch, Rooney, Bedford, Rigg (Effiong 79’), Hinchiri, Simpson.

Subs not used: Taylor, Moses.

Gillingham line up: Walsh, Witt, Nelson (Lintott 82’), Willock, Charles-Cook, Baker, Akinde, Pringle, Graham, O’Connor, Woods (Lamb 77’).

Subs not used: Walker, Medhurst, Bancroft.

Referee: Aji Ajibola

Attendance: 247

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.