Second-half goals by Jack Payne and Harry Anderson saw Gillingham fall to a 2-0 defeat against Colchester United at the JobServe Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Gareth Ainsworth made four changes to the side that beat Northampton Town in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday night, as Logan Dobbs, Ethan Coleman and Harry Waldock returned to the starting XI. Sheldon Kendall made his first league start for the Football Club.
Andy Smith, Jack Daley and Ronan Hale were named as substitutes, while Robbie McKenzie missed out due to the knock that forced him off on Tuesday night.
In the fifth minute, Jay Williams had a gilt-edged opportunity. Jack Payne’s corner from the right was curled towards the six-yard box. Williams ran onto it, meeting it unchallenged, but could not keep his header down and it went over the crossbar.
Garath McCleary had a half-chance in the ninth minute. He received the ball on the left just inside the Colchester half and managed to carry the ball into the hosts' penalty area. He was able to cut inside onto his right foot, but his low drive towards the near post was gathered by Thimothee Lo-Tutala.
Teddy Bishop was inches away from giving the hosts the lead. He won possession outside the Gillingham penalty area before curling a left-footed shot towards the top left corner. It looked destined to nestle in the back of the net, but it whistled just wide of the post.
Bishop tried to angle the ball into the far corner after 25 minutes. He made his way into the penalty area before getting to the left side of the six-yard box and dinked the ball goalward. It went over the head of Ollie Wright, but floated over the crossbar as well.
In the 31st minute, McCleary did well to create a shooting opportunity for himself. He received the ball on the left-hand side before skipping past one defender. McCleary then carried it inside, getting past another Colchester player before shooting. However, his attempt bounced wide of the near post.
Harry Anderson forced Wright into action during first-half stoppage time. Payne won the ball back on halfway before driving forward. He held off the challenge of Coleman before slipping the ball inside for Anderson. He shifted the ball onto his right foot before directing a low drive from 20 yards out towards the bottom right corner. Wright got down and pushed the ball away from the danger before James Brophy cleared his lines.
HALF-TIME: Colchester United 0-0 Gillingham
Lo-Tutala got the slightest touch to keep out Waldock’s attempt in the 53rd minute. Zane Albarus’ faint header allowed Lamin Sillah to get to the ball before turning it in behind for Waldock to chase. The academy graduate made it towards the edge of the penalty area before sending a low drive across goal towards the bottom left corner. It appeared to be finding the back of the net, but Lo-Tutala got a fingertip onto the ball to send it just wide of the target.
In the 59th minute, Colchester were awarded a penalty. Payne’s initial free-kick was cleared back to him, allowing him to enter the box. He carried the ball inside before being tripped by Brophy, and the referee pointed to the spot.
From the resulting spot kick, Payne gave the hosts the lead, as he slotted the ball down the middle with Wright diving to his left.
Wright made a fantastic save to deny Payne his second soon after. The hosts broke forward before Moses Sesay slipped the ball in for Payne, who had just Wright to beat. However, the Southampton loanee stood his ground and saved with his feet before gathering at the second attempt.
In the 72nd minute, Anderson doubled the hosts’ advantage. A free-kick into the Gillingham box ricocheted around before Jack Tucker slipped it into Anderson on the edge of the six-yard box, and he slotted it home.
Gills made four substitutions moments later. Armani Little, Smith, Hale and Cameron Antwi entered the game, replacing Coleman, McCleary, Kendall and Albarus.
In the 86th minute, Louie Dayal replaced Brophy.
Hale forced Lo-Tutala into action after Sillah lofted a ball over to him in the closing moments. The Northern Ireland international carried it inside before drilling goalward, but the Colchester goalkeeper got down to make the save.
FULL-TIME: Colchester United 2-0 Gillingham
Colchester United: Lo-Tutala, Iandolo (Kuffour Jr 46’), Tucker, Anderson (Akande 86’), Bishop (Perry 46’), Payne (Digby 83’), Sesay, Jaden Williams (Thorn 71’), Raggett, Jay Williams, Vincent-Young
Unused Substitutes: Roberts, Connolly
Gillingham: Wright, Freeman, Beckles, Dobbs, Brophy (Dayal 86’), Coleman (Little 73’), Albarus (Antwi 74’), McCleary (Smith 74’), Waldock, Kendall (Hale 74’), Sillah
Unused Substitutes: Luthra, Daley
Referee: Lewis Sandoe
Attendance: 5548 (1255 Gillingham supporters)
