The Mead took another huge stride towards the opening of the new BOSTIK South East Division with a hugely creditable draw against a young Gillingham side mostly containing first and second years.

That said included in the Gillingham starting side were three players – Conor Wilkinson, Bradley Stevenson and Darren Oldaker – all of whom are likely to feature sooner rather than later in Steve Lovell’s SKYBet League One squad.  Wilkinson lasted nearly 70 minutes after his return to injury, whilst Sevenson and Oldaker both had influential afternoons in the middle of the park.

For the Mead, it was another good work-out and we saw for the first time in the Green stripes Matt Bodkin played the full 90 minutes and showed just why boss Tommy Warrilow was pleased to secure his signature.  With both Richard Pacquette and Leon Smith away on holiday, it was a chance for others to lay down their respective markers and to be fair given the increased quality of the opposition, every single player should be happy with the shift they put in.

The Mead had the best if the early pressure against the young Gills side and the clearest early chance fell to Danny Parish who sent a looping header wide from Williams Danquah’s deep cross.  The visitors responded before the break and twice Will Godmon denied the lively Noel Mbo – the second time being fifteen yards outside of his box!

The closest either side got to scoring actually came along in the half’s final minutes when a seemingly aimlessly touched on free kick into the Gills box bounced in front of keeper Catherall before kissing the post allowing the grateful stopper to fall on the ball.

After the break as both sides made changes, it was the Gills made the better chances, and the best feel sadly to an unknown player with who had no number on his back.  First the midfielder beat Will only to hit a post whilst on a second occasion brought out a fine stop by the Mead’s new keeper.

Honours even then in much better condition for playing football as the big kick off gets even closer…

THAMESMEAD TOWN – Will Godmon, Matt Bodkin, Williams Danquah, Merrick James-Lewis, Joe Denny, John Coker, Michael Adofo, Bode Anidugbe, Danny Parish, Aaron McCallum, Chigoze Agwuebo

Second half subs – Jack Godfrey, Scott Kinch, James Pass, Lennie Laker

Not used – Harvey Brand

THE GILLS – Louis Catherall, Finn O’Mara, Ryan Huckle, Jack Tucker, Ben Chapman, Darren Oldaker, Bradley Stevenson, Aaron Simpson, Henry Woods, Noel Mbo, Connor Wilkinson

Subs – “TJ”, “Morrell”, “Henry”, “Sheminant”, Emmanuel, Derbyshire