Gillingham 1 Cheltenham Town 0
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By Luke Cawdell
Gillingham finished their League 2 season
opener with only 10 men but most importantly claimed all three
points on Saturday.
Just a single goal was enough for the Gills
against Cheltenham as Lewis Montrose (pictured) scored midway
through the first half at Priestfield.
The midfielder, making his debut for the
Gills, latched onto a loose ball after Jack Payne’s initial shot
was blocked and stroked the ball home from 15 yards into the bottom
corner.
Substitute Luke Rooney was sent off for a foul
late in the game to make for a tense finale.
Montrose’s goal, with 26 minutes gone, came
moments after Chris Whelpdale had curled an effort just over the
bar. Chances up until then had been few and far between.
Gillingham were thankful, however, to
some poor finishing from Cheltenham's Kaid Mohamed, who
spurned two efforts in as many minutes.
The first chance saw Mohamed take full
advantage as referee Lee Collins allowed play to continue despite
Matt Lawrence lying flat out injured. The winger burst into the
area but Ross Flitney slid out and held the ball. He then lashed a
good effort over seconds later after running in on goal.
Montrose put another chance just wide before
the break, turning Kedwell’s cross the wrong side of the post from
close range while under pressure.
Like the first half, the Gills took a while in
the second half to register a shot on goal. Charlie Lee sent a
dipping effort over, with an hour gone, after Kedwell had worked
hard to win his side possession.
Rooney was introduced with half an hour left
to give Gillingham a different dimension down the left. Gills boss
Andy Hessenthaler had few options at his disposal to change the
dynamics upfront.
The single goal advantage made life tense for
the Gills and a throw from Lee nearly helped them to a second. Andy
Frampton met the ball unopposed in the box but was unable to get
enough power on the header to test keeper Scott Brown
sufficiently.
Kedwell missed a great chance on 79 minutes
when unmarked he sent a powerful header from Rooney’s corner
wide.
The Gills were forced to play the final 10
minutes with 10 men after Rooney was sent off for a heavy challenge
on Brian Smikle.
Cheltenham responded by pouring forward but
at the other end a vicious Weston shot was saved by Brown and
in injury time he had another effort turned wide. The second goal
in the end wasn’t needed and the Gills opened their campaign with a
win.
Gills: Flitney, Fuller,
Martin, Lawrence, Frampton, Montrose (Weston 73mins), Spiller
(Rooney 60mins), Lee, J Payne, Whelpdale, Kedwell. Subs not used:
Richards, Jackman, Gazzaniga.
Cheltenham: Brown, Lowe,
Elliott, Bennett, Andrew, Summerfield (Duffy 79mins), Pack,
Mohamed, Low (Smikle 79mins), Spencer (Penn 67mins), Goulding. Subs
not used: Bird, Jombati.
Attendance: 5,360.
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Saturday, August 06 2011
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