Thurrock 0 Gillingham 2

Gillingham concluded their pre-season programme with a comfortable win over Thurrock on Saturday.

First half goals from Nicky Southall and Simeon Jackson were enough to seal the win over the Blue Square South at Ship Lane.

Manager Mark Stimson handed striker Mark McCammon his first start since signing for the club a month ago.

Stimson also gave trialist defender Bobsam Elejiko his second start. The Nigerian defender played 90 minutes on Wednesday against Aveley, under the name of Bob and was give another chance to impress at the heart of defence, this time alongside Simon King.

There was no room in the team for Stimson’s newest signing, however, as Curtis Weston was left out.

Just four minutes were on the clock when Gillingham opened the scoring through Southall. The midfielder lashed a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The Gills controlled the first half and added the second on 39 minutes when Simeon Jackson shrugged off the attentions of Jake Gilbert and netted from eight yards out.

Home keeper Andrew Young made good saves from Mark Bentley and Adam Miller early in the second half, while Simon Royce had to be alert to deny Rhys Henry, as Thurrock made a rare break forward.

Gillingham were unable to add a third but came close when Jackson struck the base of the post on 66 minutes.

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, King, Elejiko, Southall (Berry 74mins), Crofts, Bentley, Miller, McCammon (Mulligan 46mins), Jackson. Subs not used: Julian, Wynter, Clohessy, Hill, Richards, Lewis.