Gillingham’s first game of the season in front of spectators ended in defeat as they slipped out of the Papa John’s Trophy losing 2-0 at League Two Cambridge United.
Steve Evans has always made his feelings on the competition well known and he won’t be too unhappy at his side’s exit as he was able to give his squad players some vital minutes with the incredibly hectic Christmas programme looming large on the horizon.
The Gills side showed seven changes from the weekend win over Swindon with only Ryan Jackson, Jack Tucker, Scott Robertson and John Akinde staying in the starting eleven, whilst the home side named seven of the side that played Oldham in League Two on Saturday.
Given all the changes on both sides, early chances were at a premium before Paul Mullin came close to his 16th goal of the season – shooting wide from 35 yards, and that was quickly followed by a shot too high from Harrison Dunk. The visitors did have chances for Trae Coyle and Akinde before MacDonald fired high and wide.
Both sides then went close in the closing stages of the half as first Robertson had a shot blocked and as the half moved into stoppage time, Leon Davies shot wide.
The second half began with the home side enjoying the better of the chances and Mullin shot against the frame of the Gills goal. Luke Hannant then fired wide before Henry Woods fizzed a drive just past the left post at the other end.
Mullin then missed another golden chance before he finally got that sixteenth goal of the season from the penalty spot – Idris El Mizouni was fouled and Cambridge’s top scorer made no mistake from twelve yards.
El Mizouni could have doubled the lead but Jack Walsh made a good save but the young Gills keeper could do nothing to prevent Hannant doubling the home side’s lead with ten minutes left.
The visitors tried to rally – Matty Willock shooting over – but with the Gills trying to get back into the game, gaps were left and the home side went close again in the closing stages through substitute Harvey Knibbs, but the final whistle drew the end of the Papa John’s Trophy trail for the visitors.
Using the old adage, Gillingham can now concentrate on their League One campaign, and they’re back on their travels at the weekend with a trip to Yorkshire and the Keepmoat Stadium to face Doncaster Rovers who are currently four places but just a solitary point better off than the Gills…
CAMBRIDGE UNITED – Burton, Knoyle, Dunk, Darling, Cundy, Taylor (May), Hannant (Iredale), Digby, Davis, El Mizouni, Mullin (Knibbs)
Subs – Mitov, Worman, Dallas, Neal
GILLINGHAM – Walsh, Jackson, Medley, Drysdale, Tucker, Willock, Woods, Robertson (McKenzie), Akinde, MacDonald, Coyle
Subs – Bonham, Ogilvie, Oliver
REFEREE – Mr Rock
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.