Young Gills side come away with impressive win....
A young Gillingham side ran out comprehensive winners in the recent annual friendly between the Kent FA/Kent Youth League representative team at the home of Kent League Corinthian FC.
Only Aaron Millbank of the second year scholars played for the Gills along with a number of first year scholars, under 16’s and trialist’s there were also four players from the joint venture with North West Kent college making up the numbers.
A pretty even first 25 minutes ensued with neither side really carving out too many opportunities although the older, physically stronger, Kent team looking especially dangerous from set pieces.
The game changed on the half hour, with the visitors now just about getting on top, Charlie Webster swung a deep cross to the far post and NWK college player Alex Kendall ghosted in at the far post to head home. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home team, with the visitors controlling the proceedings, and Aiden Blanchard went close to doubling the advantage.
The second half started in similar fashion, and some bright movement and interplay caused a number of problems for the Kent rearguard.
With the introduction of five substitutes on the hour, the domination became even more apparent and excellent combination play between schoolboys Dominic Lelliott and Greg Cundle, led to the latter striking sweetly home from the edge of the box.
Cundle quickly added his second of the game with another cleverly taken finish to make it 3-0 as the visitors total dominance at this stage started to tell.
To their credit the hard working Kent side started to come back into the game in the final stages, and in injury time Ollie Rudd netted a consolation.
Gills squad: Nalder, Vincent, Emptage, Bryan, Staunton, Kendall, Frieter, Blanchard, Webster, Sellens, Millbank, Cundle, Lelliott, Moir, Blackman, McGregor, Romeo