Stefan Payne celebrates scoring Gillingham's final goal in the 6-1 victory over Hereford Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Matthew Panting

Gillingham silenced their critics with an emphatic away display at Hereford in League 2 on Saturday.

Five different players scored for the Gills, while Hereford also missed a second-half display to cap a miserable afternoon for the hosts.

Debutant Frank Nouble set the Gills on their way, holding off his marker before firing low beyond keeper Dave Cornell on 19 minutes.

It was 2-0 just five minutes later when Garry Richards’ looping header from Danny Jackman’s cross found the net.

Gills, who recovered from a shaky start, looked in total control with Danny Kedwell and Nouble combining well in a 4-4-2 formation.

But it was in the centre of midfield where they were most dominant with Jackman and Charlie Lee impressing.

Luke Rooney also proved a nuisance for the home defence and his persistence was rewarded five minutes before half-time when Joe Heath turned his cross into his own net for the third.

Any hopes of a Hereford fightback ended three minutes into the second half when Jackman collected Rooney’s short corner and promptly curled home from the edge of the area with his right-foot.

Danny Kedwell went close to his first Gills goal from open play but his contribution to the game should not be under-estimated as he led the line well alongside Nouble.

Hereford missed the chance to pull one back just after the hour when Rob Purdie hit a penalty against the crossbar.

Chris Whelpdale’s low drive left Cornell red-faced as it bobbled over his dive to make it 5-0 on 79 minutes and substitute Stefan Payne got in on the act with his first senior goal, a smart 20-yard finish for the sixth goal four minutes later.

Hereford pulled one back when Sam Winnall curled in a free-kick late on but it was all about the Gills and their impressive return to form.

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