Gillingham (0) 0
Ipswich Town (1) 2 Henshall 2, Hyam 59
Att. 1,812
Entrance: £12
Programme: £1.00
Mileage: 52/274
Match Report
This hasn’t been a great pre-season for the clubs that I follow. I saw Tunbridge Wells win at Rusthall and that has been the only victory witnessed so far, some of the performances have been encouraging, but this was the most disappointing by far.
In the hot sunshine, Priestfield looked a picture with its new playing surface but a new-look Gillingham failed to extended Ipswich Town, who barely needed to flex their Championship credentials.
The visitors were in front with just a couple of minutes on the clock. Gillingham’s defence was exposed down the right hand side and a low cross to the far post left Alex Henshall with a tap-in to give an early cheer for the 250 or so Ipswich supporters assembled in the Gordon Road Stand.
Tommy Smith powered a header over the bar from a corner a couple of minutes later and it appeared that Gillingham could be in for a bit of a hiding. To their credit they steadied the ship but, although John Egan headed into the hands of Dean Gerken and Doug Loft shot over the bar, they looked fairly punchless.
Six changes were made at the break and a bit more pressure was imposed on the Ipswich defence. But it was the visitors who doubled their lead on the hour mark. Balint Bajner crossed to the near post from the right for Luke Hyam to plant a firm header past substitute goalkeeper Glenn Morris.
Former Gillingham loanee Jack Marriott had the ball in the net a few minutes later but this was ruled out for offside.
Chances for Luke Norris and Bradley Dack were passed up before the referee, not bothering to add on the time taken for water breaks, called a close to an afternoon that left the Gillingham supporters that haven’t seen their side pre-season with a more questions than answers.
Work in progress can be the only verdict.
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