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Gillingham 1-0 AFC Wimbledon
Gillingham 1-0 AFC Wimbledon

Gillingham showed their fans just how bright the future could be with a hard earned 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield on Easter Monday.

Joe Gbode’s second half goal after having come as an early first half substitute was all that separated the two sides in front of a bumper crowd in Medway.

With the sun beating down and fans treated to what felt like a summer’s day, Gillingham took to the field with yet another experimental side from new manager Gareth Ainsworth as he continues to look at his squad ahead of next season.

Goalkeeper Glenn Morris was restored to the starting line up with the back five unchanged, whilst skipper Armani Little missed out through injury, so Bradley Dack was handed a rare start alongside Robbie McKenzie, Jonny Williams and Aaron Rowe with Oli Hawkins the pivotal point of a cautious looking Gillingham starting eleven.

The game was less than two minutes old when Hawkins’ day effectively ended. A tussle for the ball with Wombles defender Joe Lewis saw the Gillingham striker land awkwardly on his hand. It was immediately obvious that he was in some discomfort and after some treatment, was persuaded to carry on… for now.

Sam Gale was to have the game’s opening chance from a Bradley Dack corner, but couldn’t convert and just minutes later Gillingham were forced into an early change. Despite having had a couple of painkillers a few minutes earlier, Hawkins was unable to continue with Joe Gbode taking his place.

Lewis, who was wearing the tightest of shorts seen at Priestfield since the 1980s was to miss a great chance in the 25th minute, heading over a James Tilley free kick whilst Shad Ogie had to be on hand to deny Aron Sasu a clear goal scoring opportunity as the half wore on.

Gillingham went into the break clearly under the cosh and second best, but pleased that they had gone in level.

Whatever Ainsworth said to his charges at the break did the trick as Gillingham came out of the blocks flying and showed fans a glimpse of what could be a great 25/26 season.

Hawkins took his place behind the bench with two fingers strapped up, suggesting a potential break and he must have been pleased with what he saw in the second 45 minutes, albeit frustrated that he couldn’t have been part of one of the best halves at Priestfield this season.

Gillingham had a real spring in their step and Gale was unlucky not to convert from a corner after great work by Conor Masterson who was in imperious form.

Whatever referee Steve Copeland had in his half time Bovril will be a mystery, but having given Gillingham virtually nothing in the opening 45 minutes, the official started to see all the pulling of green shirts, Yes you read that right – Gills were in green.

Long story short, Gillingham’s blue and white kits clashed with the visitors options and it was decided days before the game for the home side to wear green. A little unusual, but who cares when your side plays well and wins?

Back to the game and with the referee finally starting to punish Wimbledon’s love of wrestling moves, the game started to swing in the favour of the home side.

The 64th minute finally saw the deadlock broken and what a moment it was. Remeao Hutton picked out an unmarked Dack and he perfectly laid the ball into the path of the onrushing Gbode who didn’t think twice to strike the ball into the top corner, to the delight of the Rainham End (and a lot more of Priestfield too).

Certainly not a prolific striker, but Gbode is showing signs of real progress under Ainsworth and the confidence oozed from every pore after his goal. It’s incredible what a goal can do for a player and a side.

With the confidence to know that they could dent their opponents chances of getting automatic promotion, Gillingham were on the front foot now and showing us all just what they are really capable of.

Chances did come at both ends with Dack having been replaced just seconds after contributing for the goal, but neither side could add to the scoresheet.

Gillingham’s defenders will have gone to bed knowing they did a great job in keeping Wimbledon’s strikers quiet with Matt Stevens taken off – many Gills fans not having forgotten how he bundled the ball home with his arm earlier in the season when the two sides met in South West London.

The talented Omar Bugiel was pretty much the final role of the dice from Wimbledon manager Johnny Jackson who increasingly looked frustrated at his side’s inability to unlock a Gillingham defence that kept chances to a minimum.

Meanwhile, it was fascinating to see how Ainsworth operated in the dugout, constantly encouraging his side, questioning decisions that didn’t go his side’s way politely with the fourth official and clearly being thoughtful about how the game unfolded.

In Ainsworth Gillingham now have a manager that kicks every ball, but has the tactical nouse to take this side places. With two wins and five draws from his opening seven games, Ainsworth watched on as The Gills clung on for three precious points for a variety of reasons.

Staying 17th in League Two with the three points will mean very little, but today’s game felt like a real turning point.

Under Ainsworth, the Kent side have a real chance to go places next season.

Clearly able to get something from players that looked destined for the exit, Ainsworth now has two final games this season to decide on who stays and who goes and that starts this coming Saturday when Swindon Town come to Priestfield for what will be the final home league game of the season.

Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Gale, Masterson, Ogie, Clark, McKenzie, J. Williams, Dack (Clarke 65), Rowe (Nevitt 81), Hawkins (Gbode 16).

Subs not used: Holtam, Khumbeni, Nolan, Morgan.

Goal: Gbode (64).

Booked: Rowe (81), Clarke (86), Hutton (92).

AFC Wimbledon: Goodman, Harbottle, Lewis, Johnson, Neufville, Maycock (Hutchinson 83), Smith, Tilley (Kelly 71), Foyo (Buigel 57), Stevens (Pigott 71), Sasu.

Subs not used: Ward, Ball, Ogundere.

Booked: Foyo (44), Hutchinson (83).

Referee: Steve Copeland

Attendance: 7641 (1472 AFC Wimbledon)

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.

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