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Dover Athletic 1 Gillingham 5: Regan Charles-Cook, John Akinde, Jordan Graham and Toby Bancroft all on target in Kent Senior Cup win

Regan Charles-Cook netted twice as Gillingham came from behind to beat Dover Athletic in the Kent Senior Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night.

All five of Gills’ goals came in the second half, earning themselves a place in the semi-final of the county competition against Whitstable Town.

John Akinde in action for the Gills at Dover Picture: Julian Hart/KentProImages
John Akinde in action for the Gills at Dover Picture: Julian Hart/KentProImages

Gillingham fielded a stronger team than expected, with plenty of senior players in the forward areas, including John Akinde.

Manager Steve Evans wasn’t at the game, opting to scout weekend opponents Fleetwood instead, leaving youth boss Craig Stone and assistant Paul Raynor incharge at Crabble.

The Gills were inexperienced at the back and Dover took a third minute lead after a defensive mix-up.

That lead was almost cancelled out straight away by Charles-Cook, the midfielder denied with a fine save from Yusuf Mersin in the home goal.

The home keeper saved from the Gills man on a couple more occasions in the opening half as Dover went into the break a goal up.

Persistence eventually paid off for Charles-Cook, scoring just before the hour. He was picked out by Ben Pringle and the shot on the turn took a deflection to loop over the home goalie.

Akinde’s goal on 63 minutes put the Gills infront, firing home a loose ball after Jordan Graham’s cross had come off a Dover defender.

It was Graham who scored the third soon after, finding the top corner after being fed by Charles-Cook. The three goals had come in an 11 minute spell.

The game was wrapped with two more goals late on. Charles-Cook bagged his second of the night, lifting the ball over the keeper to make it 4-1, before youth player Toby Bancroft netted the fifth in stoppage-time shortly after coming off the bench.

Dartford will await the winners of the semi-final between the Gills and Whitstable.

Gillingham: Walsh, Witt, Nelson (Lintott 82mins), Baker, O'Connor, Graham, Woods (Lamb 77mins), Willock, Pringle, Akinde, Charles-Cook (Bancroft 90mins). Subs not used: Walker, Medhurst. Attendance: 247.

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