Swansea 2 Gillingham 0

GILLINGHAM’S poor form continued on Tuesday night as they suffered a two-goal defeat at Swansea.

The result leaves Gillingham still searching for their first win of the new year.

Goals from former Gills target Adebayo Akinfenwa and midfielder Andy Robinson separated the sides on a freezing night in Wales.

Both sides had numerous chances but Swansea’s class finally shone through as they deservedly took maximum points.

Romain Larrieu was making his Gills debut in goal, after joining on a one week loan from Plymouth, while the only other change from Saturday’s draw at Cheltenham was the inclusion of Leon Johnson, in for the suspended Ian Cox at centre-back.

Just six minutes were on the clock when Swansea delivered a blow to Gillingham’s hopes when Akinfenwa glanced Lee Trundle’s cross past Larrieu into the roof of the net.

Larrieu was kept busy all night, and early on he had to tip Butler’s shot over the bar, and from a series of corners also had to make crucial saves off Ian Craney and Tom Williams, who both tried to net direct from corner kicks.

Despite the one goal advantage and controlling the half, Gillngham remained a threat, and Mark Bentley came close with a 38th minute header which keeper Willy Gueret managed to touch wide.

Swansea were guilty of over playing and when the direct approach would do, they preferred instead to play around the Gills defence, who were being given a good work-out by Trundle and Akinfenwa.

Gillingham's stand-in keeper remained reliable at the back and his handling and kicking was first class.

Just before the break referee Clive Penton pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Lee Swabey, who swapped his linesman duties for the role as the main man.

Larrieu was making a good impression and needed to be alert again during first half stoppage time when he tipped over Alan Tate’s header one-handed.

Akinfenwa fluffed a great chance in the opening minutes of the second half, as he steered Tate’s cross into the arms of Larrieu, with just the French keeper to beat.

As Swansea tried to showboat their way to victory, Gillingham were doing the simple things and Gary Mulligan came close to levelling on the hour, but his header struck the bar after Jarvis had crossed.

Crofts had a vicious volley saved by Gueret, as the Gills continued to pose a threat, and Flynn also had a powerful effort blocked by the Swans keeper.

Swansea added a second goal on 72nd minute, following a quick interchange on the edge of the Gills area, leading to Akinfenwa feeding Andy Robinson and he struck low into the net.

Gillingham made a treble substitution with five minutes to go, with both Jarvis and Bentley limping off injured.

Michael Flynn came close to pulling a goal back in the final minute of stoppage time, when one on one with Gueret, but the keeper saved with his feet.

Gillingham: Larrieu; Clohessy, Easton, Johnson, Chorley; Bentley (Ndumbu-Nsungu 85), Flynn, Crofts, Jarvis (Jupp 85); Mulligan, Savage (Collin 85).
Subs Not Used: Jackman, McDonald.
Attendance: 9,675.

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