Conor Masterson returned from injury to feature for Gillingham for the first time under John Coleman and showed the new boss exactly what he had been missing as the young Irish defender scored the goal that downed Bradford City at Priestfield. 

Masterson’s goal ended City’s impressive run that had seen the Bantams move to within striking distance of leaders Walsall. Indeed, as the leaders went down 3-1 at home to Grimsby Town earlier in the day, a win for City would have taken them top, but Coleman, Masterson et al., had other ideas!

Max Clark’s corner dropped into the box and Masterson’s rasping drive flew into the net sparking scenes of celebrations as the Gills headed to back-to-back home wins for the third time this season. 

Knowing that they could go top, Bradford started on the front foot with Jack Shepherd and Tommy Leigh having chances – Leigh being well denied by Glenn Morris.  

Gills skipper Amani Little had the home sides first chance with a free kick that just wouldn’t dip enough, before becoming a hero at the other end as George Lapslie came within inches of putting his new side ahead. The former Gill on his return to Priestfield managed to hook a corner beyond Morris, only for Little to hook the ball away. 

On the stroke of half-time, Robbie McKenzie and then Sam Gale went close within seconds – McKenzie having a shot blocked and Gale sending keeper Sam Walker scrambling. 

With the sun shining brightly, MEMS Priestfield was rocking ten minutes into the second period. Clark’s corner falling to Masterson and nine weeks of frustration was taken out on the ball as the young Irish defender rifled the ball into the bottom corner of the net. City were rattled and their run of six wins out of seven was over! 

The visitors just couldn’t cope with the Gills set pieces and from another one, Joe Gbode was denied – the young striker got the ball stuck between his feet and he couldn’t get the shot off! Gbode almost sealed the win ten minutes from time when his pace took him clear and perhaps, he dwelt on the ball just a bit too long and as he shot a defender challenged and Walker was able to make a save at the base of his post. 

Masterson was replaced five minutes from time to a standing ovation and with club captain Max Ehmer taking his place between Gale and Andy Smith, the Gills shut up shop and the points were secure and the gap between Coleman’s side and the bottom two is back to twelve points, the goal difference weighs fifteen in the Gills favour and they have a game in hand – time to look up and not down! 

GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Smith, Masterson (Ehmer), Gale, Clark, McKenzie (Jonny Williams), Little, Morgan (Khumbeni), Gbode, Hawkins (Nevitt) 

Subs – Turner, Corness, Wakeling 

BRADFORD CITY – Sam Walker, Halliday (Johnson), Smallwood, Jamie Walker (Kavanagh), Khela (Byrne), Baldwin, Huntington, Shepherd, Lapslie (Wright), Leigh (Mellon), Adaramola 

Subs – Hilton, Crichlow 

Referee – Mr. Durkin 

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC