George Lapslie was the unlikely hero for Gillingham as he netted the goal that beat Morecambe and maintained Mark Bonners perfect start as manager in the League.
It proved to be lucky thirteen for the visitors as on 77 minutes the home side couldn’t clear Romeao Hutton’s corner who was able to get the ball back from Jack Nolan, and from the second delivery, Ogie was found and his drive was brilliantly kept out by keeper Stuart Moore, and as rebound was drilled back into the box by Jayden Clarke, Lapslie arrived at the back post to gleefully drive home.
The game’s opening was slow and teasing and it was Morecambe who had the first chance as Ben Tollitt’s deflected effort forced Jake Turner into a really terrific low save. Turner was again alert to keep out Jamie Stott from a free kick before five minutes from the break Gwion Edwards did beat Turner, but his low drive also beat the post.
The Gills first shot of the game came just before the break and Jonny Williams came oh so close to scoring for the second successive weekend as the low drive seemed to have beaten Moore, but the keeper just did enough to bundle the ball round the post.
The second period began so much brighter, and Jack Nolan hit a twenty-five yarder inches too high. It proved to be a sighter as Nolan was to be denied by Moore with a world class save as the winger cut inside and hit a fine drive that was destined to the bottom corner only for Moore to get down and palm round the post.
Harvey Macadam went close for the home side with a drive that left Turner motionless but flew past the post. And in Gillingham’s next attack, Lapslie struck!
The crossbar denied Oli Hawkins a second late on with a thumping header as Lapslie turned provider, but the points were heading home to Kent as Gillingham remained just one of three sides with perfect starts to the new League Two season.
Morecambe – Moore, Hendrie (Millen), White (Slew), Stott, Edwards, Macadam, Hope, Tollitt (Angol), Tutonda (Lewis), Songo’o, Jones
Subs – Burgoyne, Taylor, Dobson
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Ehmer, Ogie, Max Clark, McKenzie, Little, Nolan (Gbode), Jonny Williams (Lapslie), Clarke, Wakeling (Hawkins)
Subs – Morris, Giles, Wyllie, Waldock
Referee – Mr Middleton
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC