Gillingham (2) 3 Weston 25, Brandy 28, Bentley 62
Southend United (0) 0
Att. 4,605
Entrance: £15
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,716
Match Report
He scored a goal, laid on a goal, won a penalty, was awarded the sponsors’ Man of the Match, all in all it was a fairly inconspicuous debut for Manchester United loanee, Febian Brandy and he didn’t even last the 90 minutes! The mere name of Manchester United was always bound to heighten the expectation on the 20 year old, but the diminutive striker, who manages to make Simeon Jackson look tall, lived up to his star billing.If Gillingham are good enough, and today they were, to feed this tiny strike force with passes on the floor then the pace of the pairing is going to frighten even the better of League One defences.
Apart from Brandy coming in for Dennis Oli, there was also a change at full back with Chris Palmer replacing John Nutter with good effect.
It was Southend that started the brighter in a very low key atmosphere and a crowd that dipped below the 5,000 mark; it would appear that the FA Cup has lost some of its lustre for the floating supporter. Gillingham had a scare of their own making on the quarter-hour when a Matt Fry error allowed James Walker a strike on goal, Simon Royce parried away but only to Dougie Freedman who headed wide.
Gillingham were awarded a penalty after Brandy (pictured) was bundled to the ground by Simon Francis but Jackson spurned the opportunity denied by a good Steve Mildenhall save. It proved to be a minor setback as within a couple of minutes the home side were a goal to the good. Curtis Weston and Brandy linked well with an interchange of passes that left the former through on goal to finish well.Oh, Curtis Weston . . . lah-de-dah!
Having put his name on the assists column, young Brandy then added his name to the goalscorers. A cross into the area was met at the near post and he showed his predatory instincts with a lightning quick strike.
Scott English song circa 1972:
Oh, Brandy, well, you came
And you gave without taking
But I sent you away
Oh, Brandy, well, you kissed me
And stopped me from shaking
And I need you today
Oh, Brandy
Perhaps we don’t want to send him away just yet!
It was a half that Gillingham hadn’t dominated, but two goals to the good, who was complaining after the misfortune suffered a week ago at Roots Hall.
Gillingham should probably have had a second penalty when Jackson was brought down in the box, question to the referee, if he dived, why not book him? Once again the discontent was short lived. Palmer crossed high to the back post where Mark Bentley did exceedingly well not only to climb high enough to get a head on the ball but to have the ability to steer his header back into the opposite corner.
As an away supporter you know it is time to head for the exits when Freedman somehow missed the easiest of chances to pull one back for the Shrimpers with 15 minutes remaining. It was an awful miss.
Undoubtedly the £18,000 prize money will not go amiss with the Chairman and will go someway to paying the wages of our new, little superstar from Old Trafford. Another home tie will do nicely in Sunday’s second round draw.
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