More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Assistant boss Paul Raynor was delighted with the way Gillingham handled Championship opponents Millwall - even when they had to throw the kids on.
With numbers light, the Gills management didn’t want to take any risks to their senior players and that meant involving a handful of teenagers, including 16-year-old Sam Gale.
At the end of the game the Gills were playing with teenagers Harvey Lintott and Bailey Akehurst occupying the full-back positions as Millwall chucked on experienced strikers Tom Bradshaw and Matt Smith.
“I’m very satisfied,” said the Gills no.2. “Millwall are a good side, a Championship side with some very good players and while we were throwing 16-year-olds on in the second half they are putting quality players on like Matt Smith and Tom Bradshaw up top.
“It was a good first half performance, we had to sit in a bit second half after making changes but on the whole it was a really good workout for us.”
The Gills had little option but to turn to youth with defenders David Tutonda, Ryan Jackson and Robbie McKenzie out injured. Transfer-listed Christian Maghoma wasn’t involved again while youngster Gerald Sithole remains sidelined. Henry Woods has also left on loan.
Raynor said: “We are light on numbers and these guys have got to step up and be called upon when needed. Both full backs did well, I’m delighted with them and with the senior lads, we had some good performances.
“It was hard work at the end, they were putting lots of balls into the box, unfortunately we switched off just at that last minute for the goal but it’s not about results, it is about game time and positive performance.”
