Gillingham’s young guns are closing in on the Youth Alliance Merit League 1 title.

The club’s under-18s head to Milton Keynes Dons today (Friday) for their final league game, knowing that they need just a point to claim the league crown.

Jack Tucker captains the side and the chance to claim some silverware so early on in their career is one they don’t want to waste.

He said: “It’s a great opportunity for ourselves and it is important we go out and get the result we need because nobody remembers second place.

“In the youth team you only get two seasons so you want to make the most of them because you are never going to get them back.

“Not many teams get this opportunity. We know what we have to do, a point is good enough, but we will be trying to win the game.”

Youth manager Ben White has instilled a winning mentality into the team and they have responded, going into this Friday’s crunch game nine unbeaten in Merit League 1.

Tucker said: “He has been really good with us, he has helped with our positive attitude, how we think about winning and with our mindset.

“He was optimistic with his ambition of trying to win the league, but that’s what you want

“Game management has been important and we have won quite a few games by just one goal. That shows a lot about how we are managing games in the latter stages and our decision making has improved a lot since the start of the season, that comes with experience.”

Gillingham head to Milton Keynes joint top of Merit League 1, second to Exeter City on goal difference, but with a game in hand.

They won their penultimate match 4-0 against Cambridge United, at Beechings Cross last Saturday, with goals from Leroy Hlabi, Roman Campbell (2) and a trialist.

The Merit League is split into two divisions, with the Gills qualifying for Merit League 1 after finishing in the top half of the South East Youth Alliance League earlier this season.

Read more from Jack Tucker in this week's Medway Messenger newspaper.