Gillingham 1 Cheltenham Town 0

Match 06/11/893 - Saturday, 6 August 2011 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 1 Montrose 26
Cheltenham Town (0) 0
Att. 5,360

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/376

Match Report

A moment of madness from Luke Rooney left Gillingham holding on for their opening day victory at Priestfield this afternoon. The Gillingham youngster lunged into a reckless challenge and was shown a straight red card by a rookie referee who took dog’s abuse for the decision but, in truth, was left with very little option.

Sensing their opportunity to grab a point, the visitors piled forward but a resolute performance from Gillingham’s back line left keeper Ross Flitney with just one comfortable save to make. New skipper Andy Frampton and Matt Lawrence gave towering displays in the centre of the defence and Joe Martin had one of his best games for the club, including a major contribution to the winning goal.

Gillingham’s lack of support for Danny Kedwell is patently obvious to everyone, none more so than Andy Hessenthaler. Kedwell worked tirelessly as the lone striker and it was such a shame that his superb display was not rewarded with a goal when he wasted his one big chance of the game. Rooney’s corner with ten minutes remaining was met with an unchallenged header, but the striker’s effort was well wide.

The first half was pretty much one-way traffic with Cheltenham’s contribution being limited to a series of irritating shoves in the back from James Spencer who tried the patience of the home support and the referee to the absolute limit before he was eventually booked just prior to half time.

Chris Whelpdale reminded Gillingham supporters of his shooting powers that had been displayed during last season’s loan spell with a couple of rasping drives that had whistled over the bar before Gillingham took a deserved lead on 26 minutes. Joe Martin made a surging run from his left back position, his cross found Whelpdale who laid the ball back for Jack Payne to strike. The youngster’s shot was blocked but the rebound fell into the path of Lewis Montrose (pictured) who fired into the bottom corner with a crisp strike.

Gillingham were good value for their half time lead, but their visitors approached the second half with a renewed vigour. Of concern during the second period was the number of free kicks that were conceded close to the penalty area and better sides than Cheltenham are not going to allow Ross Flitney the luxury of not having a save to make from any of them.

Curtis Weston was introduced from the bench to replace Montrose with 20 minutes remaining and for the first time there was a discernable partner for the impressive Kedwell. In the final minute of the 90, Weston brought a good save from Scott Brown, turning his shot around a post. This was an impressive little cameo from Weston that would have caught the manager’s eye and a possible starting position for Tuesday’s Carling Cup tie at Brighton.

Nothing more can really be asked on opening day than to get off to a good start and Gillingham will certainly be glad to have three points on the board having waited the length of August for a win last term.