Dennis Oli celebrates scoring the opening goal in Gillingham's 3-1 win over Stockport by jumping into the snow Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Three first half goals were enough for Gillingham to claim victory over League 1 strugglers Stockport at Priestfield on Saturday.

The Gills went into the break comfortably leading after scoring a trio of stunning efforts in the opening 45 minutes.

Dennis Oli got things started with an acrobatic effort, Febian Brandy finished off a great team goal and John Nutter scored from distance.

Stockport pulled one back just after the hour, to the delight of the 45 travelling fans, and the visiting team contained the Gills in the second half, having enough chances to make the score even closer at the final whistle.

The Gills took the lead just eight minutes in as Oli scored with an overhead kick following Chris Palmer’s corner, which had been headed back across the goal by Mark Bentley.

Bottom-of-the-table Stockport were restricted to long shots and they failed to test Gills’ keeper Alan Julian.

Visiting goalie Owain Fon Williams made a great save to deny Brandy from close range with 22 minutes gone, but had no answer to his strike five minutes later.

Kevin Maher sent the ball forward to Simeon Jackson who laid it off to Brandy. The on-loan Manchester United striker, who was back in the side following an injury lay-off, drilled the effort across Fon Williams.

Gillingham fans were being rewarded for sitting in freezing conditions as Nutter made it three on 33 minutes with a stunning strike from the edge of the box.

A good chance fell to Stockport’s David Poole just before the break, but he dragged the shot wide and Nutter cleared a free-kick from under the bar moments later.

Stockport ended the half well and started the second better. They should have scored following a flowing move, but Poole again sent the chance wide.

Chris Ribeiro also came close for the hosts and they scored a deserved goal on 65 minutes through Michael Rose with a low long range shot. The same player came close two minutes later with a powerful shot that Julian did well to stop.

The Gills soaked up any remaining Stockport pressure to take maximum points.

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson praised his players and the people who helped get the game on.

He said:" It was a great result and for us to get a 3-1 win at this level is fantastic. Full credit to the boys for going out and doing that.

"It was a fantastic first half performance where we scored three goals which will probably be goal of the season contenders.

"I turned up here just before 10am and there were 25 volunteers here and most of them must have been under the age of 18. They worked their socks off and shovelled the snow. They were part of a very good group that helped us get this game on.

"From me, a big thank you to them because they’ve helped us. The players went out there and probably warmed the supporters for the first 45 minutes and, although they didn’t do as well second half, it was a great all-round team performance."

Gillingham: Julian, Fuller, Palmer, Maher, Fry, Nutter, Bentley, Weston (Yussuff 89mins), Oli (McCammon 79mins), Jackson, Brandy (Payne 80mins). Subs not used: Locke, Wynter, Lewis, Rooney, Yussuff.

Stockport: Fon Williams, Mullins, Rose, Turnbull, Vincent (Pilkington 63mins), Tansey, Thompson (Raynes 73mins), Johnson, Poole (Griffin 80mins), Ribeiro, McNeil. Subs not used: Gerrard, Halls, Barnes, Hares.

Attendance: 4,769