Gills attack with Dack (left) and Birchall at Priestfield Pic: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Bradley Dack helped himself to a hat-trick of goals as Gillingham’s reserves beat a strong Dagenham team 3-1 in a practice game at Priestfield.

Gills boss Martin Allen handed starts to most of the players who haven’t had much time on the pitch of late, while the Daggers did likewise.

The visitors – who were beaten 2-1 at Priestfield in League 2 on Saturday – included former Gills player Kevin Maher in their line-up.

Allen took charge from the sidelines and watched as Dack netted twice in two minutes midway through the first half, with striker Adam Birchall playing a key role in both.

Gillingham nearly went behind early on as Steve Gregory headed against his own crossbar.

The opening goal saw new signing Michael Richardson head down Birchall’s cross, after a great move down the right flank, involving youngster Mahlon Romeo. Dack pounced to crash the shot home.

And moments later another cross from Birchall found its way to Dack and he drove a low shot past the Daggers keeper Matthew Allick.

Only a good save from Allick before the break prevented Birchall from adding his name to the scoresheet.

As well as Richardson, the Gills also gave a start to Fulham’s Ryan Williams (left) – a recent loan arrival – and he almost found the target early in the game from a good ball in from Alfie Coates.

Young Dagenham player Jake Reed pulled one back for the visitors before the break but Dack had the final say, in the second half, as he tapped home his third after Richardson’s header had bounced kindly into his path off the woodwork.

Gillingham: Forecast (Nalder 65mins), Romeo (Millbank 32mins), Coates (Carter 80mins), Staunton (Freiter 65mins), Davies (Sellens 65mins), Gregory (Butcher 65mins), Dack (Blanchard 65mins), Richardson (Haysman 65mins), Williams (Humber 65mins), Webster (Grant 87mins), Birchall (Nyafli 65mins).