Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence has stressed the importance of their young players going out on loan.

Alex Giles joined Isthmian Premier neighbours Chatham on loan for a month prior to the weekend where he came up against Sam Gale, who joined Hastings on loan last month.

Striker Joe Gbode is already at National League South Aveley with Ike Orji joining midfielder Josh Chambers on loan with Welling at the same level.

The Gills boss is hoping the non-league experience will enhance their development.

“I just think there’s not many fixtures around at this time of year for the B team, they’re not getting a look-in at first-team level,” said Clemence.

“They’re young players, they’re young men and they want to play football.

“They need some pitch geography, you don’t always get that on the training ground, so it’s great for them, go out on loan, play some games, we’ll watch them and see how they do.

“Playing with senior players always makes young players better so I hope they do well.”

Clemence indicated that they will be keen to bring the group of players back together in mid to late January.

There will be more games scheduled for the B team from that point of the season.

“There’s not a lot of B team fixtures over the coming weeks and over Christmas,” added Clemence.

“It’s very hard to get friendly fixtures over the Christmas period so if there’s an opportunity for them to go out on loan then it might be the best thing.

“The next game is in January, where we will look to bring the group back together and play some football again.”

Giles played 90 minutes for Chatham but they suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Hastings on Saturday in front of a 1,378 crowd at Maidstone Road. Former Gills players Jack Evans and Chris Dickson also featured for Chatham.

On the opposite side was Gale, making his fourth appearance for Hastings and picking up his third victory.

Chambers and Orji both played 90 minutes for Welling in their FA Trophy tie at home to National League North Brackley. The teams were locked at 1-1 with the Wings progressing via a penalty shoot-out.

Gbode scored his first goal for Aveley as they drew 1-1 with Hungerford before going through 8-7 on penalties.

The on-loan Gills man was also successful during the marathon shoot-out which saw both sides take 12 penalties each.