Gillingham capped off their pre-season schedule with a 2-1 come from behind win against Ebbsfleet United, thanks to goals from Damien Theodore and Nelson Khumbeni at the Morrow Stadium.
Olly Box initially gave Ebbsfleet the lead before Theodore equalised for the Gills in the 29th minute. James Brophy played the ball to the young forward, who did well to shift the ball onto his left foot before angling a fine shot into the far corner of the net.
Khumbeni scored what proved to be the winning goal after 71 minutes. Brophy’s corner was flicked towards the back post by Andy Smith and the oncoming Khumbeni came sliding in to convert from a tight angle.
Sam Tabares came into the starting XI for his first start in Gillingham colours. Liam Gordon, Will Goodwin, Robbie McKenzie and Ronan Hale missed the friendly, having played in a behind closed doors fixture earlier in the day.
Damien Theodore and James Brophy provided support in attack for Seb Palmer-Houlden.
After a quiet opening 10 minutes to the game, Olly Box gave Ebbsfleet the lead in the 15th minute. The hosts got down the right-hand side before playing a low ball towards the penalty spot. Box made a late, unchallenged run into the area to meet it, looking destined to score. However, Taite Holtam did brilliantly to keep out the initial shot, but the rebound came back to the Ebbsfleet man. Holtam somehow got a hand onto the second attempt, but it had too much power and sneaked past the Gillingham goalkeeper.
Tabares was forced to come off moments later, being replaced by Harry Webster.
Palmer-Houlden had an opportunity in the 23rd minute. Brophy was fouled inside the Gills half and quickly took the set piece, clipping the ball in behind down the right side. That allowed Webster to latch onto the ball, and he carried it towards the byline before looping a cross into the box. It found the head of Palmer-Houlden, who sent his effort straight at Will Buse.
Theodore brought the Gills onto level terms after 29 minutes with a fine finish. Brophy did well to find the young forward, who managed to shift the ball onto his left foot and he found the angle to get a shot away. Theodore was able to curl his attempt towards the far corner of the net, leaving Buse with no chance of keeping it out.
On the stroke of half-time, Palmer-Houlden nearly gave the visitors the lead. Webster did brilliantly to keep the ball in play before carrying it towards the penalty area, where he slid the ball across for Palmer-Houlden. The forward did well to bring it under control before directing his shot towards the near post. It nearly caught Buse out, but he recovered just in time to make the save.
HALF-TIME: Ebbsfleet United 1-1 Gillingham
Gills made a half-time change, with Raif Jones replacing Ethan Coleman.
The visitors were lacking the finishing touch after some fine play. Brophy’s free-kick was blocked by the wall, but it deflected out to Andy Smith on the left side of the penalty area. He did well to find a pass inside before the ball returned to Brophy, who made his way into the box. He dinked a cross towards the back post, finding Omar Beckles, who headed it back towards the edge of the six-yard box. Unfortunately, it was just too far behind Palmer-Houlden, who could not direct it goalward.
Theodore nearly scored his, and Gillingham’s second, on the hour. Brophy did well to keep the ball with two players around him, and offloaded the ball to Theodore on the edge of the penalty area. The 18-year-old did well to create space for himself before firing goalward, with his attempt flying just wide of the left post.
In the 71st minute, Nelson Khumbeni gave Gillingham the lead. Brophy curled a corner from the right into the penalty area, finding an unmarked Smith, who directed a header towards the back post. It appeared to be going out of play until Khumbeni came sliding in to thump the ball emphatically into the back of the net from a tight angle.
Former Gill, Jake Hessenthaler, came close when a cross from the left was flicked goalward by the midfielder. However, Holtam did well to remain alert and got across to gather the chance.
Theodore had a half-chance in the final ten minutes after Beckles did well to win the ball on halfway before making a commanding run into the Ebbsfleet half. The ball was eventually released to Theodore, who was 25 yards from the goal, and the young forward took the ball out of his feet before shooting. However, his low drive was straight at Buse, who gathered comfortably.
The hosts applied plenty of pressure in the final stages as they went in search of a late equaliser, but Gillingham stood firm and defended well, ensuring they came away with the victory.
FULL-TIME: Ebbsfleet United 1-2 Gillingham
Ebbsfleet United: Buse, Passley, Hessenthaler, Vennings, Oteh (Walker 81’), Appiah (Samuel 77’), Seaman, Nelson, Tizzard (Vokins 46’), Box (Edser 63’), Chapman
Unused Substitutes: Hall, Manktelow
Gillingham: Holtam, Freeman, Tabares (Webster 18’), Smith, Beckles, Khumbeni, Coleman (Jones 46’), Albarus, Theodore, Brophy, Palmer-Houlden
Unused Substitutes: Trialist, Procopi, Mhlanga
Attendance: 1102
