Gillingham (0) 1 Dack 47
Brighton & Hove Albion (0) 2 Stephens 56, Kandi 66
Attendance: TBA
Entrance: £6 Senior
Programme: £2
Mileage: 52/366
Match Report
The stand-out performance on the night came from the Chelsea loanee, Jordan Houghton, whose midfield presence belied his 19-years. Unfortunately, he took a knock on the hour and was immediately substituted but only as a precaution it is understood. In his hour on the pitch, I cannot remember him giving the ball away, won many a tackle and exhibited a fine range of passing. Gillingham have him until January, if that can be extended to May, then he could be a major influence on their hopes of edging towards a play-off place.
Two players from last season’s squad, who in fairness, failed to win many plaudits, also impressed on the night. Brennan Dickenson, who, in my opinion, should not have been anywhere near the first team last term, excelled in a wing back role that saw him utilising his pace and producing some good deliveries into the box. The choice between him and Bradley Garmston is going to be an interesting one. Luke Norris, much derided, also produced a hard-working and effective performance as the lone striker stretching the Championship side’s back line and laying on the goal for Bradley Dack.
Stuart Nelson appears to have settled his differences with Edinburgh and took his place between the sticks making a couple of decent saves and overall looking like the Nelson of old.
Deji Oshilaja, the loan signing from Cardiff City, opened with a couple of misplaced passes that were a bit over-ambitious but settled down to produce a competent display alongside John Egan before being replaced by Max Ehmer.
The first half, highly entertaining for a pre-season game, ended goal-less but both sides could and perhaps should have got on the score sheet. Brighton were first to go close when Adam Colunga placed a lob over Nelson but onto the top of the bar before the hosts stretched the visiting goalkeeper with efforts from Ben Williamson and Jermaine McGlashen and a particularly fine save to deny his own defender, Tom Dallinson, conceding an own goal.
In the last five minutes of the half, Norris struck a post and brought another good save from Niki Maenpaa, following a solo run into the penalty area.
It took just two minutes of the second half for Gillingham to underline their first half superiority. Norris broke clear down the left hand side but delayed a shooting opportunity and was forced wide but his cross found Dack who was able to touch the ball home from close range.
Unfortunately the good work of the first hour was undone by some suspect defending for both Brighton goals that came after 57 and 66 minutes. An unchallenged cross into the box found Dale Stephens who was allowed two attempts to score the equaliser and quite where the Gillingham defence had disappeared to, when a good move from the visitors opened them up for Chike Kandi to stroke into an empty net, is food for thought for Edinburgh.
Gillingham searched in vain for an equaliser in the remaining time but the loss can certainly be considered immaterial in consideration of the performance. Brighton made a five man substitution after 64 minutes directly following Houghton’s departure and the game turned in their favour from this point. The general opinion was one of satisfaction and the sense of optimism pervading Priestfield at present had been shown to be fully justified.
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