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Gillingham 3 Charlton Athletic 1 match report

Gillingham got the better of a full strength Charlton team at Priestfield on Saturday.

Stuart O’Keefe’s first half opener for Gillingham was cancelled out by Chuks Aneke.

But Mikael Ndjoli scored early in the second half to restore the lead and Elliott List netted late on to seal a well-earned victory for Steve Evans’ side.

Gillingham striker Brandon Hanlan gets away from his man Picture: Ady Kerry (14058441)
Gillingham striker Brandon Hanlan gets away from his man Picture: Ady Kerry (14058441)

Charlton, who won promotion to the Championship last season, named a strong side, with Lyle Taylor and Aneke named upfront along with Macauley Bonne.

Aneke helped MK Dons to promotion from League 2 last season, scoring 19 goals, while Taylor hit the target 25 times for the Addicks last term.

This was the first of two games for the Gills over the weekend, with Millwall set to visit Priestfield on the Sunday, meaning boss Evans - in the home dugout for the first time - had to mix things around. Matty Willock was missing with a virus and Lee Hodson wasn’t involved after a knock at Dartford in midweek.

Having tried two different formations against Dartford, the Gills started Saturday’s game with a 4-2-3-1 set-up, spearheaded by former Charlton player Brandon Hanlan.

Charlton's Lyle Taylor is put under pressure Picture: Ady Kerry (14058443)
Charlton's Lyle Taylor is put under pressure Picture: Ady Kerry (14058443)

It was another former Addick, Regan Charles-Cook, who had a hand in Gillingham’s opener after 13 minutes. He played in Nathan Thomas who in turn fed O’Keefe and a low finish into the bottom corner was too good for keeper Dillon Phillips.

Mikael Ndjoli came close to a second but shot wide when under pressure from Anfernee Dijksteel.

The Gills looked lively throughout the first half, with more ideas going forward. Charlton’s best chances were from set-pieces.

Gills keeper Jack Bonham on Saturday Picture: Ady Kerry (14059020)
Gills keeper Jack Bonham on Saturday Picture: Ady Kerry (14059020)

Jack Bonham saved well from Lyle Taylor’s free-kick but Charlton levelled when Nabby Sarr’s powerful set-piece effort struck the upright and Aneke was well placed to finish.

Gillingham came close to converting several inviting crosses, from Fuller, Hanlan and Thomas, but the half ended level.

Hanlan was the provider for Ndjoli’s early second half strike, with Phillips beaten at his near post by the Gills newcomer, making it his fourth goal of the pre-season.

Boss Steve Evans gets his message across Picture: Ady Kerry (14058445)
Boss Steve Evans gets his message across Picture: Ady Kerry (14058445)

Bonne headed a corner wide for Charlton but the Gills remain largely untroubled. With just over an hour gone most of the starters were switched, with only the full-backs and keeper Bonham remaining.

There were few chances for either team after the changes but Byrne did bend a shot just wide and also sent in a late cross that Charlton had to defend well, with Mandron looking to pounce.

Gillingham bagged a third with two minutes left as List picked up a loose ball out of defence from Tom Lockyer, ran at goal before finishing well past Phillips.

Gillingham: Bonham, Fuller (Allen 84mins), Garmston (Campbell 84mins), Jones (Tucker 64mins), Ehmer (Ogilvie 64mins), O'Keefe (Byrne 64mins), Charles-Cook (List 64mins), Cisse (Oldaker 64mins), Thomas (Reilly 64mins), Hanlan (Mandran 64mins), Ndjoli (Woods 64mins). Subs not used: Walsh, Hodson.

Charlton: Phillips, Sarr, Dijksteel, Page (Williams 14mins (Dempsey 73mins)), Lockyer, Pearce, Pratley, Morgan, Bonne, Aneke (Lapslie 55mins), Taylor (Doughty 75mins). Subs not used: Amos, Lapslie, Maloney, Wiredu.

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