Bradford's late first-half strike proves enough to defeat Gills in Yorkshire.
Brad Halliday scored the only goal of the game as Gillingham were beaten 1-0 by Bradford City at The University of Bradford Stadium.
Stephen Clemence made three changes to the starting XI following the defeat at Harrogate Town. Jake Turner returned in goal, while Shad Ogie and Scott Malone came into the line-up, as Gills started the game with a 5-3-2 formation. Glenn Morris, Max Clark and Jonny Williams were among the substitutes.
The hosts started the game on the front foot and should have taken an early lead through Andy Cook. Bradford broke forward in numbers as Calum Kavanagh had the ball inside the penalty area. He laid the ball off for the overlapping Cook, who had a free shot at goal. However, Turner was quick off his line to close the angle before making the save.
Bobby Pointon had a half-chance moments later when his left-footed shot from outside the penalty area went wide of the post.
In the 18th minute, Oli Hawkins was denied by Sam Walker. Remeao Hutton delivered a cross from the right touchline deep into the penalty area, which was met by the head of Hawkins. He did well to guide his header on target, forcing Sam Walker to react quickly and push it over the bar for a corner.
Gills had another great chance and were denied by a block on the line this time. Connor Mahoney’s low ball into the penalty area found Tim Dieng, who had the time to set himself before shooting. His effort beat Sam Walker but was blocked by Daniel Oyegoke to prevent the visitors from taking the lead.
In the 32nd minute, Conor Masterson came even closer to opening the scoring. Hutton delivered another excellent cross from the right, with Masterson thundering his header goalward. Sam Walker happened to be in the right place at the right time as it cannoned off his leg before Bradford cleared the rebound.
Turner was called into action seconds later as Bradford broke forward at the other end. Jamie Walker’s shot with the outside of his boot from the edge of the penalty area was aimed towards the far corner, which Turner got across to palm away from the danger.
Brad Halliday gave Bradford the lead in the 43rd minute. He cut inside onto his left foot before shooting, aiming his shot towards the far corner. Turner got a hand onto the effort but could not keep it from sneaking into the back of the net.
HALF-TIME: Bradford City 1-0 Gillingham
Tyreik Wright came inches away from doubling Bradford’s advantage. Jamie Walker laid the ball back to Wright, who powered an effort towards the top right corner from 25 yards out. The home supporters thought it was going to nestle into the top corner, but it fizzed just wide of the post, with Turner rooted to his spot.
In the 56th minute, Wright forced Turner into a save this time. The hosts broke forward with the numbers advantage, and as Kavanagh was carrying the ball, he was being dragged down by Ethan Coleman before playing it out left for Wright. The wing-back took the ball into the penalty area before shooting towards the near post. Turner had to get two solid hands behind the shot to keep it out, parrying it away from danger.
Gillingham made their first change in the 67th minute when Josh Andrews replaced Dieng.
Turner had to react quickly to deny Cook a second for the hosts. Jamie Walker curled a corner from the left deep towards the back post, where Cook was on hand to head goalward. The effort dipped at the final second, with the Gillingham goalkeeper pushing the ball over the bar for another corner, which came to nothing.
Gillingham went to a back four with 15 minutes remaining, as Jonny Williams replaced Masterson, and Josh Walker was brought on for Hawkins.
Andrews did well to muster an opportunity with seven minutes remaining. Josh Walker played it to the striker down the right. The striker did well to create space for himself for a shot just inside the penalty area. Unfortunately, he dragged his effort wide of the far post.
FULL-TIME: Bradford City 1-0 Gillingham
Bradford City: S. Walker, Oyegoke, Platt, Kelly (Tomkinson 86’), Halliday, J. Walker, Smallwood, Wright, Pointon (Wadsworth 90+4’), Kavanagh (Richards 87’), Cook
Unused Substitutes: Doyle, Oduor, Smith, Chapman
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Masterson (J. Williams 75’), Ehmer, Ogie, Malone, Coleman, Dieng (Andrews 67’), Lapslie, Mahoney, Hawkins (Walker 75’)
Unused Substitutes: Morris, Clark, McKenzie, Clarke
Referee: Ed Duckworth
Attendance: 16735 (372)
