Gillingham recovered from the FA Cup exit at the weekend by continuing their remarkable recent record at the Memorial Ground as a Vadaine Oliver double saw off a Bristol Rovers side who now haven’t won in seven matches.
Not that that will matter to Steve Evans and his charges as Oliver netted in each half to secure the points as Gillingham made it just one defeat in seven trips to the former home of the Bristol Rugby Club.
The Gills boss was dealt a big blow before the game losing Chris Maghoma and the impressive Jordan Graham through injury – Tom O’Connor and John Akinde coming in – whilst Scott Robertson came into the starting line up ahead of Alex MacDonald, whilst former Gills Max Ehmer and Brandon Hanlan lined up for the home side.
Gills started the brighter and inside the opening minutes Oliver went close with a header and then a shot before former Gillingham striker Hanlan created a chance for Nicholson who blazed over. Skipper Kyle Dempsey then has a chance well saved by keeper Anssi Jaakkola which seemed to spark the home side into their best spell of the opening half – twice Luke McCormick went close and Nicholson fired over when well placed.
Samuel went close with a low drive which Jaakkola did well to save in the bottom corner before the visitors took the lead on twenty-seven minutes when Oliver fired home after some good work from Jack Tucker.
The Gills went looking for a second – Akinde fired over from Dempsey’s cross; Robbie McKenzie’s drive didn’t miss by much and then Akinde had a second effort blocked on the stroke of half time.
As you’d expect the home side came out after the break strongly and Jack Bonham did well to save Erhun Otzumer’s drive away to his left. Jack Baldwin then headed Josh Hare’s cross narrowly wide with an effort which was made in Kent – Baldwin formerly of Faversham Town and Hare, son of former Gills coach Darren.
Hanlan then saw a header go inches past Bonham’s post from Hare’s corner just before the hour mark and Otzumer’s shot was well saved by Bonham.
Gills survived that spell and could have doubled their advantage on sixty-two minutes, but his shot was saved, and it wasn’t to be, and the home side kept searching for the leveller. But Gillingham made them pay for the missed chances as Oliver got on the end of Dempsey’s cross to send his diving header into the net for his and the visitors’ second with sixteen minutes left.
The goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the home side and Akinde could have settled any nerves that the Gills had but his header from Ryan Jackson’s cross was too high – it was Akinde’s last contribution as he was replaced shortly afterwards by MacDonald as the visitors shut up shop.
The home side fashioned a couple of late chances, but Bonham’s clean sheet remained intact as the Gills climbed to the midway position in League One – 12th – just five points behind the early Play Off places with a game in hand.
Unbeaten now in three League One games, next up for Gillingham is a game that would have undoubtedly packed Priestfield as traditional foes Swindon Town come to Kent for a Saturday lunchtime confrontation to renew a fierce rivalry that now spans over four decades!
BRISTOL ROVERS – Jaakkola, Hare (Walker 64), Leahy (Koiki 64), Ehmer, Baldwin, Grant, McCormick (Kilgour 45), Upson (Westbrooke 75), Hanlan, Oztumer, Nicholson.
Subs not used – van Stappershoef, Harries, Hargreaves.
GILLINGHAM – Bonham, Jackson, O’Connor, Tucker, Ogilvie, McKenzie, Dempsey, Samuel, Robertson (Drysdale 91), Oliver (Coyle 94), Akinde (MacDonald 86).
Subs not used – Walsh, Eccles, Willock, Woods.
Goals: Oliver (26), (74).
REFEREE – Mr Oldham
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.