Coca-Cola League One
Saturday 28th October 2006
Venue: Priestfield Stadium

GILLINGHAM 2 CARLISLE UNITED 0

The Gills were looking to pick up three points for the first time since their 2-1 home win over Cheltenham almost a month ago, and, as has become synonymous with the Gills, made a particularly bright start, Kieren Westwood forced into action after just four minutes to block a header from Guylain Ndumbu Nsungu, while Andrew Crofts and Matt Jarvis both had chances in the opening few minutes.

It wasn't long before the home side were one-up, as Duncan Jupp played a long ball across the pitch for Gary Mulligan, who brought the ball down brilliantly to link up with Matt Jarvis, the winger making a dangerous run into the box to square off for Mark Bentley, who's shot somehow managed to sneak past everyone, and finish nestled in the back corner of the net.

Michael Flynn was looking dangerous from the edge of the area as he twice unleashed from 20 yards or more, and it was 23 minutes before Carlisle even had a look at goal, as Peter Murphy got away from his marker to turn and shoot, but luckily for the home side it finished on the wrong side of the near post.

It was Murphy again causing problems just before the half hour, forcing Kelvin Jack into a fine save low down on his return to competitive action.

Ndumbu Nsungu again had a chance to double the lead, but slid in to put it wide off a ball in from Bentley on the right hand side, and the Gills kept pressing as the clock wound down, unlucky to head into the half time break only up by the solitary goal.

The Gills were a little slower out of the blocks after the break but still managed to keep pressure on the Carlisle defence, as Clint Easton unleashed from the edge of the area, his shot however slicing away from goal, while Andrew Crofts forced a corner after a goalbound header took a deflection.

Carlisle's best chance came on 67 minutes as Kevin Gall tried to chip Kelvin Jack, the Trinidad and Tobago international 'keeper getting an important glove on the ball to tip it onto the crossbar, Duncan Jupp on hand to clear the danger.

Midweek loan signing Ben Chorley was introduced on 71 minutes and brushed off the cobwebs with a couple of long range efforts, while Mark Bentley should have shut Carlisle out on 83 minutes, somehow managing to put a point blank header wide of goal after good lead up work by Matt Jarvis down the right hand side.

The result was finally put beyond doubt when Gary Mulligan finally scored his first of the league campaign, as Flynn put a ball over the top to unleash Jarvis again down the right, his ball cut back in for the former Irish youth international to slot into an open goal.

Jack saved brilliantly one on one deep into injury time, to secure a 2-0 win, and the Gills first clean sheet of the season. 

Bookings: Johnson (Gillingham)

Aranalde, Grand (Carlisle)

Attendance: 5973

Referee: Mr P Melin (Surrey)

Match report by Glen Lauder