Logan Dobbs, Cruz Beszant and Stan Sargent all scored their first goals for the club as Gills sealed a comfortable 4-1 win over Fulham’s U21 side in the Vertu Trophy at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday.
Dobbs opened the scoring early on, finishing nicely following Aaron Rowe’s short pass inside the box. Beszant got on the end of a Marcus Wyllie delivery to make it two, with the striker getting one himself when he converted a brilliant cross from Louie Dayal.
Sargent wrapped it up, pouncing on a loose ball when Dayal’s shot was blocked. Fulham pulled one back in stoppage time when an initial effort had struck the post.
Gareth Ainsworth was able to give three players their full debuts, namely Dobbs, Harry Waldock and Beszant. Dayal and Sargent were among the subs.
Gills started well and it was one of the debutants who got on the scoresheet early. A cross from the right was headed away as far as Rowe; he lost possession but hassled to win it back.
He saw Dobbs to his left and the centre-back produced a precise finish into the corner.
The hosts settled after the goal and restricted Fulham to few openings, although Jake Turner had to be alert to collect a loose ball inside the box as Fulham went in search of an equaliser.
They had a half chance on 32 minutes when Bradley de Jesus went for goal with a direct free-kick, but his effort missed the target.
Gills nearly doubled their advantage before the break. Clark received the ball wide on the left and spotted the run of Wyllie. The striker worked to stay onside, which he did, and the left-back played a nice ball across goal, but it was just a foot beyond the reach of the striker and although he made contact he couldn’t divert it home.
A few moments later Wyllie had a better chance, this time heading an effort towards goal following Hutton’s cross. He provided the power, but it was straight at Alfie McNally.
H/T: Gillingham 1-0 Fulham U21
Gills started the second half as they started the first, with a goal. Wyllie had possession on the left side and had time to get his head up. Beszant had held his run and received possession six yards out; his strike was clean and he found the back of the net with a powerful effort.
Cruz then conceded a penalty when his tackle was slightly late on Nwojo Jr. Loupalo-Bi stepped up but dragged his penalty wide of the left post.
Fulham had a great chance shortly afterwards from open play when Oliver Gofford delivered a great cross into the heart of the Gills box. Loupalo-Bi met it well but guided his header wide.
Dayal was introduced on the hour and his impact was immediate when a terrific cross from the left wing was guided towards Wyllie and the striker duly converted towards the back post from just a few yards out.
It was four not long after, and Sargent joined the party. Beszant’s clever flick found Dayal. His shot inside the box was saved, the ball wriggled free and Sargent was first to react and converted from a tight angle to net his first goal for the club.
Fulham were restricted to few opportunities although sub Macauley Zepa did produce a powerful effort from 25 yards. It was well struck but Turner was able to see it go over the bar.
In stoppage time Gills nearly got a fifth goal but Wyllie’s effort, following a perfectly timed Lenni Cirino cross, was well saved by McNally.
There was still time for Fulham to get one back. Nwojo Jr struck the post from distance; Loupalo-Bi was well placed on the rebound and tucked away an effort from ten yards out.
F/T: Gillingham 4-1 Fulham U21‘s
Gills: Turner, Hutton (Webster 46), Dobbs, Akomeah, Clark (Sargent 46), Cirino, Little (Khumbeni 46), Waldock, Beszant, Rowe (Dayal 60), Wyllie
Unused subs: Morris, Smith, Gale
Fulham U21: McNally, Loupalo-Bi, Works (Zepa 77), de Jesus, Olyott (Essenga 63), Gofford, Nwoko Jr, Nsasi, Quashie, Al Wahid, Slade
Unused subs: Mayer, Wingate, Walters, White, Cooke
Attendance: 962 (48)
Referee: Mr Carl Brook
