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Faversham Town 1 Gillingham 9 - pre-season match report

Gillingham routed non-league Faversham Town on Saturday with a dominant display.

Connor Ogilvie put the Gills ahead and Mikael Ndjoli struck twice before teeing up Callum Reilly to make it 4-0 midway through the opening half.

Matty Willock, Nathan Thomas (twice), Jack Tucker and Roman Campbell all scored for Gillingham in the second half, while former player Ryan Huckle got Faversham’s consolation.

Callum Reilly takes on Faversham captain and former Gillingham player Ryan Huckle Picture: Chris Davey
Callum Reilly takes on Faversham captain and former Gillingham player Ryan Huckle Picture: Chris Davey

Gillingham included all of their new signings in the match against Bostik League side Faversham Town and were relentless from start to finish.

A full week of training had left them sharp and they attacked at will in the opening half at Salters Lane.

Just two minutes were gone when Reilly crossed for Ogilvie to head home the opener.

Ouss Cisse had a header tipped over the bar by keeper Simon Overland and moments later Brandon Handon rifled in a cross that just needed a touch.

Connor Ogilvie is challenged Picture: Chris Davey
Connor Ogilvie is challenged Picture: Chris Davey

Faversham had plenty of Gillingham connections in their line-up, with Huckle captaining them, after being released in the summer by the League 1 side.

The two home strikers, Michael Freiter and Jack Sellens, are both former Gillingham academy players.

But it was all Gills in the opening stages. Bournemouth loanee Ndjoli rifled home the second after 15 minutes and Hanlan then forced a super save from Overland.

More on the Gills;

Ndjoli made it 3-0 with 20 minutes gone as he headed home a Reilly cross.

The two swapped roles moments later with Ndjoli unselfishly laying the ball off for Reilly to smash home a fourth.

Gillingham's Bradley Garmston watches his man Picture: Chris Davey
Gillingham's Bradley Garmston watches his man Picture: Chris Davey

Gillingham continued to press in the first half but were unable to add to their tally.

Keeper Jack Bonham was called upon once, before being replaced by Joe Walsh at the break, and he saved well from James Miles.

Bradley Garmston was the only player to re-appear for the Gills in the second half, continuing at left-back instead of Barry Fuller, who had a slight injury.

In the opening minute of the second half Elliott List struck the woodwork and Nathan Thomas followed up with an effort that went just over the bar.

Manager Steve Evans watching from the touchline Picture: Chris Davey
Manager Steve Evans watching from the touchline Picture: Chris Davey

Darren Oldaker had a shot cleared off the line following a surging run from List and Regan Charles-Cook stung the hands of the home keeper.

Willock added a fifth on 55 minutes, showing strength to hold off a defender, before finding the bottom corner. The same player almost found the same corner a minuter later but the shot went narrowly wide.

Huckle pulled one back with an hour gone against his former team but Thomas made it 6-1 with a finely struck direct free-kick. Jack Tucker headed home at the far post from a corner to increase the lead.

Brandon Hanlan on the ball for the Gills Picture: Chris Davey
Brandon Hanlan on the ball for the Gills Picture: Chris Davey

Roman Campbell side-footed in an eighth and Thomas stroked home a quality ninth for the Gills, who never let up.

There was still time for Oldaker to have another shot cleared off the line, List with one that grazed the top of the bar and Charles-Cook with a chance that was also cleared with the keeper beaten.

Teams;

Faversham: Overland, Jones, Maxted, Dorking, Bourne, Huckle, Miles, Chapman, Sellens, Freiter, Adesite. Subs: Lewins, Mills, Toure, Simpson, Rook, Gates, Chamberlaine, Day.

Gillingham first half: Bonham, Hodson, Jones, Ogilvie, Garmston, Byrne, Cisse, O’Keefe, Reilly, Hanlan, Ndjoli. Second half: Walsh, Scarlett, Ehmer, Tucker, Garmston (Woods 58mins), Thomas, Oldaker, Willock, List, Campbell, Charles-Cook.

Read more: The latest sports news from Kent

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