The new era at SCEFL side Lordswood kicked off on Tuesday night with a hard-fought single goal win over the Gillingham XI.
In front of over 500 fans on a perfect night for football, the home side launched their new season with a display that was worthy of all the new hope that surrounds the club going into the new season that begins on earnest in ten days’ time with an Extra Preliminary Round FA Cup tie at Martyn Grove against Egham Town.
The games only goal arrived early on when Donnell Sama reacted quickest in the Gillingham box to fire home past Toby Smith.
A good even contest kept the crowd entertained and it was past the half hour until the visitors had their first real chance when Josh Bayliss tested keeper Ivor Williams.
The home side went into the break with a deserved lead – and were indebted to the woodwark ten minutes after the interval to still have the advantage when Josh Chambers smashed an effort off the frame of the goal and from the rebound Bayliss was unable to capitalise as he shot over the top.
Sub Kai Garrett had an effort which Williams saved magnificently – just one of several top drawer saves from the home keeper – before he combined well with Gerard Sithole for the latter to shoot too high.
The home rallied but didn’t really test the Gillingham goal and as the game reached its conclusion the visitors forced the pace with Garrett and Ike Orji testing Williams with the Gills best chances but the keeper was more than a match for their efforts and the home side clinched victory with Williams – who was playing only because former young Gills stopper Tom Crump was on holiday – deservedly picking up the man of the match award.
LORDSWOOD – Williams, Muongo, Kareen, Neal, Sama, Reid, Ridson, Kuchkov, Green, Stewart, Jeffries
Subs – Adegulgbe, Peters, Jarvis, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist
GILLINGHAM XI – T Smith, Webster, Giles, Gale, Orji, Bayliss, de Wilde, Chambers, Sithole, Agbebi, Bridle.
Subs – Sullivan, White, Khumba, Dobbs, Garrett, Hutcheon, Macarthur