Dartford 1 Gillingham 2

Match 02/10/818 - Tuesday, 13th July 2010 - Pre-Season Friendly

Dartford (0) 1 Bonner 88
Gillingham (1) 2 Spiller 3, Palmer 54
Att. 770

Entrance: £10
Programme: £2
Mileage: 56/132

Match Report

This was a more comfortable evening all round for Gillingham at Princes Park, Dartford than their previous two pre-season encounters. Possibly newly-promoted Dartford are finding their feet in comparison to their Blue Square South compatriots Braintree Town and Bromley, but a positive spin would be that Andy Hessenthaler’s squad are also beginning to ease themselves into the new term.

A fair few column inches have been used on the triallist that has arrived with Champions League experience. Small in stature, long flowing ringlets, add a pair of swimming goggles and you have a ringer for Edgar Davids, from a distance at least. Stanley Aborah was only given a 20 minute run-out and a best description of his time on the pitch would be that he looked a little rusty. One cleverly weighted pass that offered another triallist, Sam Gargan, the opportunity to shoot off target was hopefully a foretaste of his ability.

Gone was the blistering heat of Saturday and rain during the day had freshened up the atmosphere. Danny Spiller returned to the starting line-up alongside Stefan Payne making his first appearance in this pre-season.

Spiller made an instant impression, converting a rebound after just three minutes to give Gillingham the lead. Barcham crossed from the left, Spiller climbed well to head for goal, his effort being parried by Dartford’s keeper, Andy Young. But Spiller reacted quickly and scored from the resultant rebound.

Spiller went on to produce a 45 minute performance of high energy and good skill, easily the stand-out performer of the half.

A first look at Stefan Payne was also favourable. A good size for a striker, mobile and was a constant source of concern for Dartford’s central defenders. After 15 minutes Payne had a good opportunity which he spurned tamely, the ball falling for Barry Fuller to drive over the bar.

Dartford rarely troubled Gillingham’s rearguard but on the occasions they did Lance Cronin in goal looked sound and, once again, Tony Sinclair did his hopes of a contract no harm whatsoever with a comfortable display that included a clearance in front of the line with Cronin beaten.

A largely different Gillingham side emerged for the second half. Cronin continued between the sticks, Josh Gowling, Curtis Weston and Dennis Oli extended their pitch time. Triallists Serge Makofo, who once again looked lively and Fola Onebuje starting the period up front.

Dartford produced an early flurry to the second half and Jack Payne was forced to clear off the line before Gillingham extended their lead after 54 minutes. Chris Palmer’s misplaced cross deceived everyone and drifted into the far corner for a fortunate addition to the scoreline.

Luke Rooney continued his all action pre-season and he must be catching Hessenthaler’s eye with his performances. Andy White, on for Oli on the hour had an opportunity that was wasted by a poor touch and Makofo made a surging run that was also spoilt by a disappointing pass.

The game was drifting, as pre-season matches tend to do, when Aborah (pictured) was introduced to add interest to the Gillingham support that made up a fair proportion of the 770 attendance. Despite shipping a late goal, the majority of those supporters will have gone home feeling a bit happier than departing Hayes Lane on Saturday.

Premiership referee Steve Bennett was also indulging in some pre-season work and the official was called into action in the closing seconds when an unseemly scuffle ensued on the touchline following a boot of the ball back into play from Ian Hendon that was ill-directed and a touch too hard. Having seen on Saturday just how firmly Hendon can strike a ball, the exception that Dartford took may have had a point!

Gillingham now head for France for some team bonding and a match against RUFC Calais.