Gillingham won their first game of the new season as Bradley Dack’s second-half goal proved the difference in the 1-0 win against Walsall at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
The goal came just short of the hour. Remeao Hutton’s long throw into the penalty area ricocheted around before Conor Masterson got a shot away. His attempt was deflected into Andy Smith’s path, and he laid it back to Dack. The midfielder showed great composure to keep his effort down and garnered enough power to thump the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Gareth Ainsworth made one change to the starting XI that drew at Accrington Stanley on the opening day. Andy Smith came into the side, replacing Jonny Williams, who dropped to the bench. Gills lined up with a back five for their first game at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium in the 2025/26 season.
Gills had a great opportunity to take the lead in the opening moments. Max Clark floated a corner from the left deep into the penalty area. His cross was met by the oncoming Robbie McKenzie. Unfortunately, he set himself too early, and he cushioned his volley wide of the target.
In the 12th minute, Charlie Lakin missed the target. He pounced onto a loose ball near the penalty area before shooting from around 18 yards in a central position. He got enough power behind his strike, but sent it over the crossbar.
Dack tried his luck after a nice build-up. Joe Gbode chested the ball down to Elliott Nevitt, who played it back to Armani Little. The Gills skipper sent a smart outside-the-foot pass out to the right for Remeao Hutton to meet. He sent a high and looping cross into the box, which was headed away as far as Dack on the edge of the penalty area. He brought the ball under control before shooting. His strike had plenty of power but was always rising as it fizzed over the target.
Mason Hancock was denied by Glenn Morris after he got on the end of Jamie Jellis’ ball towards the back post. Hancock headed it down into the ground from inside the six-yard box, but Morris reacted quickly to make the save before gathering the loose ball.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Walsall
Gillingham made a half-time change with Josh Andrews replacing Joe Gbode.
In the 58th minute, Dack opened the scoring. Hutton’s long throw into the Walsall penalty area caused a scramble around the six-yard box before Conor Masterson got a shot away. His attempt deflected into Smith’s path, who quickly laid it back to Dack. The midfielder showed terrific calmness under pressure to thump his attempt into the bottom right corner, leaving Myles Roberts with no chance.
The hosts were forced into a second change when Masterson went down with some discomfort. He was replaced by Sam Gale.
Gills made their third substitution when the goal scorer, Dack, was replaced by Ethan Coleman.
The visitors started to apply more pressure as they went in search of an equaliser. However, Gillingham restricted Walsall to next to nothing. Smith made a key interception to prevent Jamille Matt from getting onto the ball inside the penalty area.
The hosts made their final change 12 minutes from time when Marcus Wyllie came on for Nevitt.
Wyllie had a snapshot when he latched onto a ball forward in space. He volleyed first time from distance, sending his attempt wide of the goal.
Roberts was called into action when Ethan Coleman got a shot away. Hutton’s cross found McKenzie at the back post. He held onto the ball before Coleman arrived in support just inside the penalty area. The midfielder sent a left footed effort goalward, but his attempt lacked the power to test Roberts.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 1-0 Walsall
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Smith, Masterson (Gale 62’), Ogie, Clark, McKenzie, Little, Dack (Coleman 72’), Gbode (Andrews 46’), Nevitt (Wyllie 78’)
Unused Substitutes: Turner, Khumbeni, J. Williams
Walsall: Roberts, Browne, Flint, Hancock, Barrett, Lakin, Jellis (Clarke 66’), Warrington (Hollman 74’), Weir (Adomah 83’), Pressley (Matt 66’), Stuttle (Gordon 66’)
Unused Substitutes: Hornby, Farquharson
Referee: Ross Martin
Attendance: 6498 (372 away fans)
