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Pre-season friendly report: Sheppey United 1 Gillingham 7

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.

Darren Oldaker on the ball for the GIlls Picture: Chris Davey
Darren Oldaker on the ball for the GIlls Picture: Chris Davey

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.

Bradley Stevenson scores the opener for the Gills Picture: Chris Davey
Bradley Stevenson scores the opener for the Gills Picture: Chris Davey

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.

Billy Bingham back in action for Gillingham Picture: Chris Davey
Billy Bingham back in action for Gillingham Picture: Chris Davey

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

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