Henry Woods netted a hat-trick as Gillingham put seven goals past Southern Counties East side Sheppey United on Saturday.

Woods’ second-half treble included a 30-yard effort as Gills’ superior fitness and quality told at the Havill Stadium.

The Gillingham team included Billy Bingham, the 27-year-old back in action again after putting a season of injury behind him.

Gillingham went ahead after just 75 seconds and it was a gift from home keeper Dan Ellis, miss-kicking a clearance and leaving the goal wide open for Bradley Stevenson to score infront of a crowd of over 500.

The Gills doubled the lead on 13 minutes, with Stevenson turning provider, laying it off for trailist Franck Moussa, who found the bottom corner with a well-struck effort.

A minute later and the Gills had another goal, as free-kick specialist Darren Oldaker punished Sheppey with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

Another trialist, Dean Cox, had a shot from the edge of the box saved by Ellis while Ben Chapman fired a couple of efforts wide.

Gillingham fielded many of their second year scholars in the second half and the youngsters produced an impressive display.

Woods, a first year pro this coming season, made it 4-0 with a good finish into the bottom corner after good interplay with Roman Campbell and moments later he smashed one into the top corner from 30 yards.

It was 6-0 with 15 minutes left as Charles Noyelle took a leaf out of Oldaker’s book, hitting home a free-kick from the edge of the box.

Woods rounded the keeper for goal number seven but it was Sheppey who finished off the scoring, their marksman Dan Bradshaw netting a spot-kick with 78 minutes gone.

Sheppey: Ellis, Brunt, Lee, Richardson, Ralph, Brown, Davis, I Batten, Akhazzan, Bradshaw, Denness. Subs: Glover, Cooper, Wraight, Girt, Amoah, Lexus, G Batten.

Gillingham (first half): Catherall, Divine (Scarlett 21mins), Huckle, Tucker, Chapman, Bingham, Cox, Moussa, Oldaker, Hlabi, Stevenson.

Second half: Catherall, Scarlett, Bramble, Sheminant, Morrell, Noyelle, Arthurs, Woods, Jojo (Huckle 87mins), Campbell, Allen.

Attendance: 529