The draw for the First Round of the Carabao Cup has been made on Tuesday morning and Steve Evans’ side will welcome Southend United over the Dartford Crossing to Priestfield provisionally on Saturday 5th September.
It’s the fourth time that the clubs have been paired together in the First Round of the competition. In season 1966/1967, Basil Hayward’s Gills triumphed 2-0 at Priestfield in a replay after the original game have finished goalless; that was followed with a 3-1 aggregate win in 1985/1986 as Keith Peacocks side won the second leg at home 2-0 after a 1-1 draw.
The last meeting came at the start of the 1988/1989 season when Paul Taylor’s side slipped out of the competition as the Essex said won both games 1-0.
For the first time in twenty years the First Round of the competition will be the first competitive game of the new season. Older readers will remember that the “old” League Cup used to be played over two legs the week before the League season began.
Later on Tuesday, the Gills will learn which under 23 side from the Premier League will be their final opponents in the EFL Trophy after they were drawn late on Monday with Crawley Town and for the second season running Ipswich Town.