Gillingham 1 West Ham United 2

FORMER Gillingham player and manager Andy Hessenthaler made an emotional farewell at Priestfield, in his testimonial match against West Ham on Saturday.

It was the final match of the Gills' pre-season campaign and ended in a 2-1 defeat, but for the thousands who turned out there was much more to cheer than the football club.

Hessenthaler was included in the squad for one last time, allowing fans to give him a rapturous send off when he was eventually substituted during the second half.

The Premiership side took the lead early on when Sheringham was on hand to score after Brent Sancho had headed against his own post.

Ten minutes before the break West Ham were firmly in control after Hayden Mullins had doubled their advantage.

Andrew Crofts pulled one back for the home side with six minutes to go, but the result hardly mattered.

Hessenthaler said: "Thanks very much for the memories, thanks for supporting me from day one."

Current boss Ronnie Jepson added: "Andy Hessenthaler got the kind of send-off he thoroughly deserves."

Gillingham: Baker (Sanna 60), Jupp (Clohessy 69), Cox (Johnson 9), Sancho, Jackman, Easton (Crofts 60), Hessenthaler (Bentley 54), Flynn (Pouton 69), Jarvis, McDonald (Spiller 69), Mulligan (Savage 60).
Subs not used: Collin, Stone.

* Full match report and reaction in Monday's Medway Messenger. Keep up to date with all the news from Priestfield every week in the Medway Messenger.