Gills respond on the road
DOVER ATHLETIC 2 GILLINGHAM 2
and Effiong’s strike partner Alfie Pavey headed a couple of chances wide. He put another one into Bonhamn’s arms. Gillingham came close with a couple of crosses from Bradley Garmston, but nobody was on the end of them. When Brandon Hanlan’s cross was met by Mikael Ndoli he couldn’t get the effort on target.
Effiong nearly made it 2-0, lifting a shot just over the bar with Bonham again out of his goal. Gillingham didn’t look as sharp as they had in previous games and couldn’t complain about the half-time score.
The second half was much better and two goals in two minutes put the Gills infront. The scores were level after 50 minutes when Elliott List met Lee Hodson’s low cross and fired it into the bottom corner. There was an even better finish two minutes later as Byrne’s cross came off the head of Scott Doe and Hanlan volleyed home from 15 yards out.
More chances fell to the Gills with Stuart O’Keefe and List both going wide.
Despite the improvements, Dover found a way back into the match after 64 minutes, breaking on the Gills after Ndjoli had lost possession. Pavey found himself one on one with the Gills keeper and finished well after taking it around Bonham.
While the Gills faltered first half at least they showed they had fight to turn the tide, a trait which will come in handy when the real action begins. Hythe Town are working on a deal for ex-Gillingham fullback Aaron Simpson. The 20-year-old spenttimeonloanat Margate the season before last and turned down a new contract at Priestfield this summer.
Simpson recently had a trial with National League Aldershot but played for Hythe against Folkestone on Saturday and boss Sam Denly hopes they’ll be seeing more of him.
An open training session is being held at Priestfield today (Thursday) from 12pm. Entrance is free and the Gillingham players will be available after the 45-minute session, between 1.15pm and 2pm, to chat to fans and sign autographs in the Great Hall.
Tomorrow’s
(Friday) pre-season match at home to fellow League 1 side Southend United kicks-off at 7pm.
Adult tickets for the match cost £15, it’s £5 for juniors (aged 12-18) and free for under-12s accompanied by a full paying adult.
Tickets for Saturday’s match away Stevenage cost £12 for adults/ concessions, £10 for under-22s and £5 for under-16s. The game kicks-off at 3pm.
Gillingham’s EFL Trophy fixture dates have been confirmed. They face three round one matches in Southern Group A, with the top two of the four teams progressing to round two.
The Gills begin their challenge on Tuesday, September 3 at home to League 2 side Colchester United and are then playing away on Tuesday, October 8, against fellow League 1 side Ipswich Town. The group stage concludes with a home game against Tottenham’s under-21s on Tuesday, November 12.
Deji Oshilaja, who played 55 league games for the Gills over a trio of loan spells from Cardiff City, has joined Championship side Charlton. The 26-year-old was a free agent after ending a two-year spell at AFC Wimbledon.