Home   Medway   Sport   Article

Pre-season friendly report: Tonbridge Angels 1 Gillingham 5

Gillingham claimed a comfortable win at Bostik Premier side Tonbridge Angels on Saturday.

Brandon Hanlan scored twice and Callum Reilly also found the target.

Tonbridge pulled a goal back midway through the second half but Noel Mbo hit Gills’ fourth and Franck Moussa got a fifth.

Brandon Hanlan in action. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton (3063176)
Brandon Hanlan in action. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton (3063176)

Hanlan’s strike came 18 minutes into the game, peeling off the shoulder of defender Sonny Miles to get on the end of Aaron Simpson’s ball over the top, before finishing well past keeper Jonny Henly.

Hanlan, playing up top alongside Josh Parker, had moments earlier come close to scoring, seeing a shot saved after his strike-partner did well to play him in on goal.

Billy Bingham got the chance to play with the senior side for the first time, after games at Sheppey and Faversham, and he once again looked at ease, bossing things from the base of a midfield diamond.

Alex Lacey wins the ball. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton
Alex Lacey wins the ball. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton

Tonbridge rarely threatened in the opening half, the Gills keeping striker Alex Read quiet, but they came close to scoring shortly before the break. A free-kick dropped in the box and when the Gills struggled to clear, defender Arthur Lee smacked a shot against the upright.

Navid Nasseri, playing just behind the front two, came close on a couple of occasions, but his finishing wasn’t good enough to trouble Henly.

Left-back Aaron Simpson put some good balls into the box during the game and Parker headed one of his crosses wide shortly after the restart.

The Gills were 2-0 up on 52 minutes, Regan Charles-Cook found Reilly, who ignored the options around him and went for goal, finding the bottom corner from the edge of the box, the ball going in off the post.

Aaron Simpson in action. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton (3063174)
Aaron Simpson in action. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton (3063174)

Holy saved well at the other end to deny Tonbridge but the Gills had a third when Hanlan took on a retreating defence, picking up the ball on the halfway line from Reilly’s clearance, before firing past the home sub keeper, who hadn’t had a touch.

Read got a goal back for the home side after the Gills had made wholesale changes, bringing all of their subs on with 20 minutes left. Holy was unable to reach the lobbed effort.

The Gills went 4-1 up as Noel Mbo picked his spot from 25 yards out and a minute later Moussa stuck the ball home in a crowded box to increase the lead.

Brandon Hanlan takes the plaudits after a goal. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton (3063172)
Brandon Hanlan takes the plaudits after a goal. Tonbridge Angels v Gillingham pre-season action Picture: Andy Payton (3063172)

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, Ehmer, Lacey, Simpson, Bingham, Reilly, Charles-Cook, Nasseri, Parker, Hanlan. Subs: Moussa, Oldaker, Ishmail, Mbo, Woods, Tucker, Sheminant, Yabo, Brown. Unused: Chalmers-Stevens.

Tonbridge: Henly, Folkes, Parter, Parkinson, Miles, Lee, Small, Stone, Read, Whitnell, Turner. Subs: Adonis-Taylor, Smith, Ramadam, Dawado, Bonula.

Attendance: 224

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More