Gillingham were knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round on Saturday afternoon, as Swansea ran out 4-1 winners.

The home side scored two goals before half time thanks to a double from Oli McBurnie, before Josh Rees scored early in the second half, before Bersant Celina and Barrie McKay made it a comfortable victory for the Swans.

Boss Steve Lovell was forced into making two changes through injury with Callum Reilly and Alex Lacey, and Josh Parker was dropped to the bench with Regan Charles-Cook, Tom Eaves and Max Ehmer all returning to the starting line-up. In the case of Ehmer it was the first time he had started a game since he picked up an injury last month.

Swansea as would have been expected came out and controlled the game and could have taken the lead with the first chance of the game. Mark Byrne had the ball nicked off him in the midfield by McKay, he then fired his shot at Tomas Holy. The ball hit the post and rolled away.

With the clock on nine minutes, Swansea went 1-0 up when Leroy Fer played a lovely ball through to McBurnie who got his head on the ball and made no mistake as the ball nestled into the back of the Gills net.

The Gills first effort came from top scorer Tom Eaves but with other options out wide that might have been in a better position to continue the move decided to go for goal, but it was straight at Erwin Mulder in the Swansea goal.

On the half hour mark Swansea doubled their lead. McBurnie ran at the Gills defence, he then slotted past Holy for his second of the game.

Shortly before half time Bradley Garmston made a run down the left-hand side but his cross couldn’t be met by the Gills attackers, and Swansea cleared their lines.

Half time: 2-0

The Gills came out of the traps fast at the start of the second half and got their way back into the game.

Their first chance came when Rees passed out to Luke O’Neil who then crossed the ball for Eaves, he then climbed above the Swansea defence but his header was deflected wide for a corner.

Less than a minute later they did find the net with List making his way down the left wing, he then paid the ball off to Byrne. He then crossed into the area picking out Rees who headed past Mulder.

If the Gills were going to get back on level terms with Swansea then their time was now. Charles-Cook fired over from thirty yards.

Swansea scored an excellent goal for their third when Celina let fly with an excellent effort into the top corner which left Holy with no chance.

Seven minutes from time the tie was over as Swansea put the tie beyond the Gills reach. James picked out McKay in the box and he bundled the ball home.

The Gills did think they had pulled another goal back but Eaves effort was ruled out for being offside.

Full Time: 4-1

Swansea: Mulder, Van der Hoorn, Fer (Fulton 81), McBurnie (Byers), Carter-Vickers, McKay, Grimes , Celina, Roberts, Baker-Richardson (James 68), John

Unused subs: Harries, Nordfeldt, Dyer, Montero

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, (Fuller 81) Zakuani, Ehmer, Ogilvie (Parrett 81), Garmston, Byrne, Rees, Charles-Cook, List (Hanlan 70) Eaves.

Unused subs: Hadler, Simpson, Oldaker, Parker

Referee: Darren England

Attendance: 15,080

Image courtesy of Kent Pro Images