Welling United 2 Gillingham 2

GILLINGHAM completed their pre-season campaign with a difficult trip to Blue Square South side Welling.

The Gills fielded a strong side but were held to a draw as both sides endured a tough work-out on a baking hot day at Park View Road.

After a slow opening half the second period started at a frantic pace as Efe Sodje was in the thick of the action at both ends.

Just two minutes after the re-start, Sodje deflected the ball into his own net, following a cross from former Gills man Kevin James. But the Nigerian was quick to erase that goal a minute later when he rose to head Nicky Southall’s corner in past keeper Jamie Turner.

Gillingham went ahead on 62 minutes after Aaron Brown dispossessed Adam Cotterill, took the ball round Turner, and slotted the ball home.

Welling gave a good account of themselves and claimed a deserved leveller with 10 minutes remaining as Lloyd Blackman sent a looping header past Gills keeper Derek Stillie following Sam Keevil’s corner kick.

Welling: Turner, Cotterill, May, Carpenter (Moore 74), Sinclair (McCleary 88), Soloman, James (Schoburgh 67), Keevil, Blackman (Harper 86), Coleman, Muku (Barnard 67).

Gillingham: Stillie, Southall, Armstrong (King 55), Lomas, Cox, Sodje (Cogan 87), Crofts (Stone 68), Bentley, Mulligan (Pugh 68), Facey, Brown.

Attendance: 543.