Gillingham 3-0 Bristol Rovers: Three is the magic number as Gills shut off The Gas

Another brilliant strike from James Brophy, plus a belting brace from the bench from Sheldon Kendall, helped Gillingham to a 3-0 win that didn’t flatter the home side, who missed other chances to make the result even more emphatic.

Gillingham made just one change from the side that defeated Tranmere Rovers 2-0 at Priestfield seven days prior, with Lamin Sillah coming into the side to replace Conor McManus, who was rested from the squad altogether. That change saw James Brophy move out to occupy the left wing-back slot, with Sillah playing up front, supported by Ronan Hale and 19-year-old Harry Waldock, who produced a Man of the Match performance for the home side.

The first half saw Bristol Rovers make the sharper start, with wingers Bobby Kamwa and Shaq Forde looking dangerous on both flanks. But, after Gillingham survived a couple of early scares, they gradually took control of the game, and were unfortunate not to have taken the lead by the time they headed into the dressing rooms for half-time.

First, Ronan Hale’s powerful drive from the angle was superbly stopped by Brad Young in the Rovers goal, then Robbie McKenzie inexplicably headed over the bar with the goal at his mercy as he spurned a free header 10 yards out. It meant the scoresheet remained blank as the sides resumed play at the start of the second period. And, unlike the first half, it was Gillingham who took control, and never really relinquished it as they applied concerted pressure on Rovers all over the pitch.

In defence, the trio of Logan Dobbs, Omar Beckles and Andy Smith won virtually everything in the air and threw their bodies in the way when required as they effectively shut down the Rovers front line. Such was their effectiveness, all three of the forwards selected to start by Steve Evans were substituted during the second half as the Rovers boss tried in vain to find a breakthrough.

And with the Gills’ defence keeping everything tight at the back, the midfield and forward line were able to apply pressure further up the field. And, on the 55-minute mark, they got the deserved breakthrough. James Brophy cut inside onto his weaker right foot and fired a swerving low drive through a crowd of players that left an unsighted Young with no chance.

Then, with the home side seemingly game-managing their way to a 1-0 victory, some late substitutions from Ainsworth saw his side add two more goals to the scoreline, with teenage winger Sheldon Kendall coming off the bench to score twice in four minutes to register his first goals for the club.

First, Kendall superbly swept home a right-wing cross from Nick Freeman on 85 minutes, then, after referee Sunny Sukhvir Gill surprised everyone inside Priestfield by not giving a foul against Will Goodwin for his ice-hockey-style body-check on a Rovers defender, the substitute striker was left to scamper down the left wing and centre for Kendall to add another, finishing at the second attempt after Young did superbly to stop his initial effort.

There was time for Goodwin to add a fourth and open his Gills account for the season, but Young came flying out of his goal to make another brilliant stop to deny the Gills’ number nine.

But despite the visiting keeper’s heroics, he was unable to prevent his side from succumbing to a Gillingham side that is growing in stature, and in confidence, in front of our very eyes. Their victory extended their unbeaten streak to six, and their winning streak to three.

Next up, it's a home tie in the EFL Trophy, with Ainsworth set to ring the changes to give some other players some valuable minutes as they take on Cambridge United on Tuesday night at Priestfield. Then, it's another big test, as Ainsworth’s men travel to promotion favourites York City on Matchday 8 next weekend.