Alex Jakubiak scored his second and third league goals for Gillingham in an entertaining 2-2 stalemate against early league leaders Blackpool; however, it was not enough to clinch his side’s first three points of the new campaign.
Gillingham came into this fixture with a thin squad and a bench full of youngsters as the injury list thickened. Midfielder Regan Charles-Cook the latest to join Matty Willock on the treatment table. Another absentee was on loan forward Mikael Ndjoli who served his one game suspension following a red card in the league cup tie with Newport.
Despite the lack of depth in the match day squad Gillingham put on an encouraging performance which deserved more than the solitary point they earned through an entertaining and ferocious clash against the Seasiders.
Gillingham started on the front foot and took the lead inside the first 8 minutes. Mark Byrne came into the side as one of three changes from the 2-1 home reverse to Burton Albion, Connor Ogilvie and Elliott List the other players named in the starting eleven.
It was Byrne who orchestrated the Gills’ opener, a quick one two with Alex Jakubiak allowed the on loan Watford man to burst into the area and place a strike into the bottom left corner of the Blackpool goal to give the Gills a deserved early lead.
Jakubiak stuck again during the latter stages of the first half. Elliot List saw his close range effort palmed by Alnwick in the Blackpool goal before the ball eventually found its way to Jakubiak. The Gills’ number 23 unleashed an effort which cannoned off Alnwick and found its way into the top corner and seemingly send Gillingham into the dressing room at half time with a commanding lead.
During the 2-1 home reverse to Burton Albion the game was thrown away due to a 5 minute spell at the end of the first half where the team switched off and allowed the opposition to take advantage.
Unfortunately for the Gills it was de ja vu as Blackpool hit back twice within four minutes to level the scores at the break.
An intricate move was finished off well by former Crystal Palace winger Sulley Kai-Kai before Armand Gnanduillet’s towering header levelled the score at Priestfield.
From being in a position of considerable comfort it turned into a case of needing the half time whilst to blow as quick as possible for Steve Evans’ men.
A spirited second half performance from the Kent side wielded no reward despite constant attacks on the Blackpool goal.
Substitute Mikael Mandron came close to finding a winner when his well struck effort was cleared off the line following a corner.
Blackpool were dangerous on the counter attack throughout the game and it took a last ditch tackle from Ogilvie to deny Gnanduillet his second of the game after he rushed clear on goal.
Gnanduillet was again involved as his header fell kindly for Kai-Kai to unleash a rasping volley which was brilliantly saved by Bonham.
Gillingham:
Bonham, Hodson, Ehmer, Ogilvie, Fuller, Byrne, Jones, O’Keefe, List (Marshall, 74), Jakubiak, (Mandron, 84), Hanlan.
Subs not used: Cisse, Woods, Walsh, Tucker.
Goals: Jakubiak 9, 37
Blackpool:
Alnwick, Bushiri (Nottingham,73), Edwards, Tilt, Spearing, Thompson, Feeney (Anderton 83), Turton, Delfouneso (Guy), Gnanduillet, Kai-Kai.
Subs not used: Hardie, Pritchard, Shaw, Mafoumbi.
Goals: Kai-Kai 41, Gnauduillet 45+3
Booked: Bushiri (59).
Attendance: 4,581
Officials : Neil Hair (Referee), Nicholas Cooper (Assistant Referee), Aaron Farmer (Assistant Referee)
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club