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Gillingham beat Bishop's Stortford with a hat-trick for Luke Rooney and one for former Watford man Jason Norville

Bishop's Stortford 1 Gillingham 4

Luke Rooney scored a hat-trick for Gillingham as they comfortably dealt with their latest pre-season test.

It was Gills’ second successive 4-1 victory, having beaten Peterborough by the same scoreline on Tuesday night, and it took Rooney’s goal tally to six from six pre-season outings.

Luke Rooney
Luke Rooney

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler added a handful of trialists to his side, with Lance Cronin continuing in goal and Stanley Aborah again appearing.

Aborah was to limp off in the second half with a hamstring injury.

Hessenthaler also got a look at Newcastle United youngster Darren Lough, at left back, and Trinidad striker Jason Norville.

Norville progressed through Watford’s youth academy and has most recently been playing non-league football for AFC Wimbledon and Woking.

Ex-MK Dons, Cardiff, Port Vale and Huddersfield midfielder Malvin Kamara played the second half, while former Charlton player Jack Clarke also appeared for the Gills, coming on for the final 25 minutes in defence.

It was Rooney (pictured) though who was taking all the plaudits and he scored the opener from the penalty spot, after Norville had been fouled.

With 31 minutes gone he doubled the lead when he dispossessed a defender and shot on the turn.

It was 3-0 to the Gills shortly before the interval when Norville tapped home.

The fourth goal was scored on 58 minutes when Kamara headed Spiller’s cross onto the bar and Rooney was there to convert and complete his hat-trick.

Leon Antoine pulled a goal back for Stortford on 74 minutes.

Gills: Cronin, Lough (Clarke 65mins), Southall, Essam, Gowling, Maher, Rooney, Spiller, White, Aborah (S Payne 69mins), Norville (Kamara 46mins). Subs not used: Sinclair, J Payne. Attendance: 218.

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