Gillingham 5 Swindon 0

Gillingham got their League 1 campaign off to a flyer with a stunning win over Swindon at Priestfield.

Simeon Jackson netted a second half hat-trick to help the Gills on their way to a memorable opening day win.

The Gills led at the break with a goal from midfielder Mark Bentley and early in the second half Jackson doubled the lead.

Adam Miller made it three for the Gills midway through the second half with an easy finish as Swindon’s defence was caught sleeping. Jackson smashed home the fourth on 85 minutes and completed the rout two minutes later.

Gills boss Mark Stimson said: "We went into the game without four first team players with Oli, Maher, King and Lewis injured. They would have all started so we’ve put a team together, and all of the players who stepped in were absolutely fantastic.

"As a team and individually I can’t fault any of them. To win the first game is a massive boost because before it I would have possibly taken a point.

"Swindon finished mid-table last season, but they’ve introduced a couple of decent players. To come away winning 5-0 is what dreams are made of it."

He added: "At 2-0 you are hoping the referee blows the whistle, that would do me. But to go and get five and your top scorer get a hat-trick, there isn’t much more you could ask from the day.

"We have not picked up any injuries and that was pleasing. We look forward now and hopefully we can keep all the players, and hopefully add a couple more, so we can enjoy the season and most of all finish it still in this division."

Bentley’s opener came with a cool finish after 12 minutes when Jackson, who had been found with a long cross-field pass from John Nutter, picked him out in the area.

A frantic first 45 minutes saw chances at both ends with Swindon’s aerial supremacy making for some nervy moments in the Gillingham area.

Alan Julian, who was the preferred choice in goal ahead of Simon Royce, had to scramble down low to save at the feet of Billy Paynter after Kevin Amankwaah had headed a corner-kick goalwards.

At the other end Miller put a half chance wide of the mark.

Sean Morrisson headed wide for the visitors just after the half hour and Swindon’s best chance came to Paynter, but his header from Anthony McNamee’s cross flashed wide.

Fears of a Swindon fight-back diminished just six minutes into the second half when Nutter picked out Jackson with a ball through the defence. The Gills striker smashed the shot past keeper David Lucas to put them in a commanding position.

Nutter played a vital role in the third goal as well when his free-kick was headed home by Miller in the 72nd minutes to seal the points for the Gills.

Lucas had to make a stunning save to deny Bentley a second, when he palmed away a vicious volleyed effort.

Gillingham weren’t finished yet and Jackson added a quickfire double to smash Swindon out of sight.

Gills: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Richards, Gowling, Bentley (Erskine 90mins), Weston, Payne (Yussuff 87mins), Miller, Jackson (McCammon 90mins), Barcham. Subs not used: Royce, Palmer, Wynter, Rooney.

Swindon: Lucas, Cuthbert (Macklin 55mins), Douglas, Greer, Timlin, McNamee, Morrisson, Amankwaah, O’Brien (Marshall 66mins), Jean-Francois, Paynter. Subs not used: Ifil, McGovern, Easton, Smith, Kennedy.

Attendance: 6,852