Gillingham provided another Jekyll and Hyde Priestfield performance as they crashed to their heaviest home defeat in this most frustrating season as Neil Harris’ side caved in to a three-goal home defeat against Salford City.
After a first half that many considered encouraging, the visitors scored first within the opening ten minutes of the second half and by the time Salford added their third, many of the faithful were heading for the exits.
Ahead of the game, talk of a proposed take-over coming closer seemed to buoy the atmosphere with fresh hope and optimism, but by the final blow of Mr Howard’s whistle there was little but despair on the banks of the Medway.
Shaun Williams headed the Gills’ first chance wide when he got on the end of a Ben Reeves corner ten minutes in, and it set the tone for the first forty-five minutes as the Gills went looking to end their blank goal run in the League.
Reeves forced keeper Tom King into a terrific low save from distance and moments later Robbie McKenzie curled a great effort fractionally over the Salford crossbar.
Jordan Green was next to test King with a low drive which the keeper scrambled round a post and then Williams again got on the end of a set piece – from Will Wright – but his header looped over.
Half time came at completely the wrong time for the home side as within just over fifteen minutes of the restart, Salford were halfway to three points as they scored twice – Theo Vassell headed City in front from a free kick and Ryan Watson’s ridiculously deflected effort left poor Jake Turner completely wrong footed.
Mika Mandron drove a shot beyond King but also beyond the post as the desperate home side in vain searched for a way back, but Callum Hendry finished the game with Salford’s third fifteen minutes from time, the faithful had seen enough and a considerable number “voiced” their opinion on another disappointing afternoon and headed for the exits.
You do have to feel for Harris to a certain degree but the pragmatic boss is honest to admit himself that as the sport is a results business, results haven’t been good enough and with a televised Cup replay coming up in midweek – with the golden carrot of a Premier League side in round three for the winners – the manager knows that he could be in the final days of his custodial in the Priestfield hot-seat!
GILLINGHAM – Turner, Alexander, Wright, Ehmer, McKenzie (Baggott 60 (O’Keefe 83)), Williams, Jefferies, Reeves (MacDonald 59), Green, Mandron (Walker 58), Kashket (Adelakun 78).
Subs not used – Holtam, Gbode.
Booked: Reeves (53).
SALFORD CITY – King, Bolton, Vassell, Nartey (Leak 88), Touray, Watson, Watt, Tolaj (Galbraith 66), Hendry (Jenkins 88), Bailey (McAleny 66), Smith.
Subs not used – Chapman, Lowe, Lund.
Goals: Vassell (54), Watson (61), Hendry (75).
REFEREE – Mr Paul Howard
Attendance: 3,854
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.