Gillingham celebrated Stephen Clemence’s first home league game in charge with their biggest win of the season as Salford City were beaten 3-1 at Priestfield.
Ahead midway through the first half courtesy of Connor Mahoney’s drive, the visitors levelled just before half time only for the Gills to rally strongly in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half and net through Tom Nichols’ first of the season and Dom Jefferies first goal since returning from injury to effectively seal the points.
The Head Coach made three changes to the side beaten at Wrexham in his first game which meant starts for Nichols, George Lapslie and Max Clark whilst the bench saw Ashley Nadesan return from injury.
After a subdued opening, Priestfield got the goal the Head Coach and the majority of the six thousand crowd wanted as Mahoney put the Gills in front. Nichols and skipper Jonny Williams combined and as the ball ran free, Mahoney thumped the ball beyond Alex Cairns and into the bottom corner of the City net.
The lead sadly did not last very long however as from a corner Matt Smith added to his leading scorer total with a bullet header that gave Jake Turner no chance in the Gills net and the scores were level at the break.
The home side upped the tempo after the break and by the hour mark led three-one.
Nichols put the Gills in ahead again in front of a packed Rainham End with a magnificent glancing header from a terrific Williams cross which left keeper Cairns rooted to the spot.
On the hour it was three as Jefferies netted a cracker. The scorer found Nichols, who via Mahoney found the overlapping Cheye Alexander and from the Gills’ latest internationals’ cross, Jefferies headed home at the back post.
Smith was immediately denied by a brave quick Turner save before only the width of the crossbar denied Shad Ogie from making it 4-1 after a thumping header cannoned back into play and the unlucky Tim Dieng just could not force the ball over the line.
Turner was called upon in the closing stages to deny both Conor McAlney and Kelly N’Mai but the final whistle saw Clemence register three points on his home debut that went down very well indeed!
The win lifts The Gills back up to 8th place in League Two, just a point outside the play-off places and with a full week to prepare for next Saturday’s trip to Tranmere Rovers, Clemence and co will have more time to come up with a style of play that seems to be evolving for the better.
GILLINGHAM – Turner, Alexander, Masterson, Ogie, Max Clark, Coleman, Jefferies, Mahoney (Jayden Clarke 74), Lapslie (Bonne 89), Jonny Williams (Dieng 81), Nichols (Nadesan 81).
Subs not used – Morris, Ehmer, Shaun Williams.
Goals: Mahoney (22), Nichols (54), Jefferies (62).
Booked: Clark (26), Nichols (76).
SALFORD CITY – Cairns, Vassell (Mariappa 63), Tilt, Garbutt (McAleny 34), McLennan, Mallan, Watt, John, Lund (N’Mai 64), Watson, Smith.
Subs not used – Wright, Dackers, Humbles.
Goal: Smith (37).
Booked: Mallan (44).
REFEREE – Mr Paul Howard
Attendance: 6431
Images courtesy of Gillingham FC