Ashford United 1 Gillingham 2

Match 02/13/1029 - Saturday, 29th June 2013 - Pre-Season Friendly

Ashford United (1) 1 Whiting 30
Gillingham (2) 2 Blanchard 2, Legge 41
Att. est 500

Entrance: £3 Senior
Programme: None issued
Mileage: 80/80

Match Report

A kind, traffic-free run down to Kingsnorth, had me arriving at Ashford United’s Homelands Stadium bang on kick-off time. A swift walk from the car park to the turnstile got me into the ground within a couple of minutes but, sadly, this wasn’t quick enough to see Gillingham’s opening goal from Aiden Blanchard. Already in place were several other Gillingham supporters who had also been at Faversham and must have given themselves some extra time for the journey.

An incentive of doing both games on the day was being able to have a first look at Gillingham’s only summer signing so far, Amine Linganzi, who has arrived from Accrington Stanley. Having missed Stanley’s Priestfield appearance in which Linganzi was evidently outstanding, I had no idea what to expect and the first impression was very positive. Firstly, Linganzi has a sheer physicality that offers a presence that was not in evidence last season and secondly, from his deep lying midfield position he demonstrated a range of passing, spraying the ball accurately 40 yards to the wings.

After the newly promoted Kent League side had scored an equaliser when a 25 yard shot from Liam Whiting took a deflection on its way past the young triallist keeper, Gowan, it took until almost half-time for Gillingham to regain their lead when Leon Legge powered a header home from a corner.

The Homeland’s pitch looked an absolute bowling green in comparison to the one at Faversham were, especially around the centre circle, it looked a bit of a cabbage patch.

The fourth eleven of the afternoon that took to that fine surface was a youthful one that bore more resemblance to Twydall Under 12’s than a senior Gillingham side. Chris Whelpdale was the exception to the rule, obviously included to play the role of schoolmaster. Around the hour mark, both sides hit the crossbar within a few minutes of each other, Gowans tipping a drive onto the bar whilst at the other end Jack Sellens also struck the woodwork.

All in all, a quite satisfying start to pre-season, if even if Wimbledon is only half-way through and the Ashes series is yet to start.