Aaron Rowe’s fantastic second-half strike proved to be the difference as Gillingham ended the 2024/25 season with a 1-0 victory against already promoted Port Vale at Vale Park.
The goal came in the 56th minute, as Rowe scored his first goal for Gills. He received the ball around the penalty area, looking for options. The winger opted to cut inside onto his left foot before curling an excellent shot into the top left corner of the net, leaving a fully stretched Ben Amos with no chance.
Gills ended the season on a 12-game unbeaten run, finishing in 17th place.
Gareth Ainsworth made four changes to the starting XI that drew 1-1 at home to Swindon Town. Euan Williams, Dom Corness, Asher Agbinone and Jimmy-Jay Morgan came into the line-up.
Elliott Nevitt missed out due to an injury, while Jonny Williams and Joe Gbode served their suspensions after being sent off in the Swindon fixture. Bradley Dack and Shad Ogie were named among the substitutes, as Gills operated with a back four. Josh Andrews made his return to the matchday squad and Harry Webster was also on the bench following the end of his loan spell at Chatham Town.
Port Vale, who had celebrated promotion the previous week, hoped to win the League Two title.
Rhys Walters had a half-chance in the opening stages, with his low drive from outside of the penalty area lacking the power to test Glenn Morris.
The opening 20 minutes of the game proved to be quiet, as Port Vale looked to break through the Gillingham defence, who stood firm, restricting their hosts to just a half-chance. Jaheim Headley curled a free-kick into the penalty area, which was headed goalward by George Byers. However, his attempt looped over the crossbar and onto the roof of the net.
Morris denied Ronan Curtis in the 25th minute. The Port Vale forward received the ball 20 yards from the goal before sending a powerful shot goalward. It was at a good height for Morris, who palmed the ball before gathering at the second attempt.
Shortly before half-time, Lorent Tolaj missed an excellent chance. Curtis played a defence-splitting pass, which allowed Mitchell Clark to get in behind the Gillingham backline. As he approached the penalty area, he squared the ball for Tolaj, who was unmarked inside the 18-yard box. The forward looked destined to score, but he got underneath his attempt, ballooning it well over the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: Port Vale 0-0 Gillingham
Aaron Rowe had Gillingham’s first shot on target just seconds after the break. Remeao Hutton’s ball forward found Morgan, who knocked it down for Rowe, who sent a half-volley goalward. However, it lacked power, and Ben Amos comfortably gathered.
Max Clark’s speculative right-footed attempt flew wide of the target in the 55th minute. Morgan’s free-kick went into the wall before the ball eventually ricocheted into the left-back’s path, who tried his luck with his attempt firing wide of the target.
In the 56th minute, Rowe gave Gillingham the lead with a spectacular strike. The visitors won possession high up the pitch, with Rowe receiving the ball around the penalty area. The winger, seemingly without options, cut inside onto his left foot before sending a curling effort goalward from around 20 yards out. His shot had plenty of venom as it flew into the top left corner, with Amos unable to do anything about it.
Jayden Stockley was introduced and nearly made an immediate impact. The ball was slipped through to the forward, who tried slotting it into the far corner. However, the oncoming Morris had closed the angle before making the save.
In the 63rd minute, Gills made a triple substitution. Ethan Coleman, Dack and Nelson Khumbeni entered the game, replacing Euan Williams, Morgan and Corness.
Gillingham made another change six minutes later as Ogie replaced Rowe.
The visitors made their final change with ten minutes remaining as Andrews made his long-awaited return to action, replacing Agbinone.
Port Vale started to apply pressure in the closing stages. Sam Gale made a perfectly timed sliding challenge to prevent Stockley from getting a shot away. Soon after, Byers’ deflected shot nearly caught Morris out. His powerful drive took an awkward bounce in front of the Gills goalkeeper, who got himself behind the ball before the visitors cleared their lines.
The hosts continued to push forward, with over six minutes of stoppage time being added. However, with all of the corners and set pieces that Port Vale threw their way, Gillingham stood firm to end their campaign with a victory.
FULL-TIME: Port Vale 0-1 Gillingham
Port Vale: Amos, Debrah, Smith (Stockley 57’), Hall, Clark, Byers, Croasdale (Richards 57’), Walters (Harper 77’), Headley (Shorrock 84’), Tolaj, Curtis (Hackford 77’)
Unused Substitutes: Broome, Lowe
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Gale, Masterson, Clark, McKenzie, E. Williams (Coleman 62’), Corness (Khumbeni 63’), Agbinone (Andrews 81’), Rowe (Ogie 69’), Morgan (Dack 62’)
Unused Substitutes: Holtam, Webster
Referee: Jacob Miles
Attendance: 13,661 (599 Gillingham supporters)
