Gillingham eased into the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win at Edgar Street against a Hereford side who could not repeat Cup heroics of the past.
A goal in each half from Jayden Clarke and Tom Nichols meant that Stephen Clemence’s era at Priestfield started with victory, thus avoiding a potential banana skin as they entered the Greatest Cup Competition in the World.
With the Gills wearing their new third choice pink shirts, the travelling fans must have headed for the Welsh borders with a certain amount of trepidation, but will have returned to Kent along with their heroes, now looking forward to the Clemence era.
Clemence stayed to the same starting eleven who had been beaten by Newport County the previous week and the new boss saw his charges begin on the front foot as in the opening stages both Scott Malone and Clarke went close.
Jonny Williams was next to test home keeper Chris Pond as the Gills kept searching for the early goal that would have settled any nerves.
The goal arrived at the midway point of the half – with Cheye Alexander making a great run down the right, Clarke was allowed to cut inside and to the edge of the box and his shot took a deflection which took the ball beyond and past the diving keeper.
Ten minutes from half time and only the width of Hereford’s right post prevented the Gills realistically being out of sight by the break.
Conor Mahoney was the unlucky Gill on this occasion with a fine curling effort that Pond gave up on and was so relieved to see the ball smack to safety off the post.
Clemence would have been pleased the way that his side stood up to the home side’s resurgence after the break as the Gills back line led by Conor Masterson and Shad Ogie stayed firm.
Yes, the home side did push but courtesy of some sterling blocks and battling defending, Hereford did not threaten Jake Turner’s goal.
Ogie then had a chance at the other end when a fierce drive stung Pond’s hands before the Gills sealed the tie.
A terrific long ball from sub Max Clark released Nichols who raced through and rounded the keeper only for Pond to reach out and bring the Gillingham number nine down leaving referee Yeates no hesitation and he pointed to the spot.
Nichols dusted himself down and after a long period of gamesmanship by the home side, gleefully hammered the ball past Pond to send Gillingham through.
Whilst it must be remembered that Hereford are today a non-league side, this was just Gillingham’s third win at Edgar Street in twenty-three visits down the years and sends Clemence and his squad into Tuesday’s first home game – in the newly named Bristol Street Motors Trophy – when Fulham’s u21s come to Priestfield.
HEREFORD – Pond, Livingstone (Tolley 87), Cameron, Howkins (Rooney 87), Southern, Skinner (Cranston 87), Mendes, Teixeira, Babos (Stanley 57), Ceesay, Freemantle (Cowley 71).
Subs not used – Sterry, Arthur.
Booked: Livingstone (39), Babos (51), Cameron (51), Southern (86), Teixeira (88).
GILLINGHAM – Turner, Alexander, Masterson, Ogie, Malone (Max Clark 83), Jefferies, Coleman, Mahoney (Walker 96), Jonny Williams (Shaun Williams 65), Jayden Clarke (Dieng 84), Bonne (Nichols 65).
Subs not used – Morris, Ehmer, Orji, Macarthur.
Goals: Clarke (23), Nichols (pen 88).
REFEREE – Mr Ollie Yeates
Attendance: 4376