Gillingham kicked off their 2019/20 SkyBet League One campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

The Gills had gone ahead through on-loan Watford man Alex Jakubiak on 30 minutes, however Kieran Sadlier equalised just before half time for the home side, and one a piece was how it finished.

New manager Steve Evans was taking charge of Gillingham competitively for the first time on a warm afternoon in South Yorkshire, and he watched on from the stands, serving the first of a four game touchline ban, next to owner Paul Scally.

Gillingham started brightly and Brandon Hanlan thought he was in early when a nice ball over the top from Alex Jakubiak fell into his path. The flag was up, though, and he was halted.

The Gills broke again down the left in the opening five minutes as they looked to utilise the width of the pitch early, but Barry Fuller put a cross straight into Doncaster ‘keeper Ian Lawlor’s arms.

Although Gillingham controlled the early proceedings, Doncaster looked a threat on the counter attack and The Gills were given a taster of the threat from the home side when Barry Fuller was forced to chop down a breaking James Coppinger in a battle of the veterans.

Gillingham continued to control the game with Max Ehmer firing over from a Charles-Cook free kick, and Charles-Cook was involved again not too long after with what was probably the best chance for either side so far,  but his shot was cleared off the line by Ben Sheaf.

The attacking midfielder was at the centre of play once again just before the 20 minute mark when he proved too quick for the Doncaster defence, stealing the ball off them and feeding Mikael Ndjoli. The Bournemouth forward, though, dragged a right footed attempt wide.

Doncaster were left searching for a way to get into the game and tried their luck from a free-kick on 21 minutes, only for Ben Whiteman to send his shot sailing way over the bar.

Charles-Cook and Ndjoli continued to link up well for Gillingham and it was Ndjoli again who was to force a smart save from Lawlor at his near post after Charles-Cook’s diagonal pass found him on the left.

Max Ehmer headed into the side netting for the away side following a blocked Stuart O’Keefe drive, but Gillingham’s pressure finally paid off on the half hour mark. A simple Jack Bonham goal kick was flicked on by Brandon Hanlan into the path of Mikael Ndjoli, who drove forward into the box. He spotted the run of Alex Jakubiak and weighted the ball perfectly into his path for the Watford forward to pass into an empty net with Lawlor covering his near post. It was a goal that had been coming for Gillingham, and, therefore, a well deserved one.

The Blues almost doubles their lead just before the clock hit 40 minutes. Charles-Cook beat Doncaster fullback Alex Baptiste down the left hand side, but he was denied by a solid double save from Lawlor in the home net.

Doncaster did, however, enjoy a spell of possession towards the end of the half, and it was made even better when Kieran Sadlier equalised for the hosts in the third minute of injury time.

Reece James got the better of Charles-Cook down the Doncaster left and forced a corner. Gillingham held off the pressure for a while, but a neat, chipped ball from James Coppinger found Sadlier, who rocketed his shot first time past a helpless Bonham. Harsh on Gillingham, perhaps, going into the interval, but it was all square at the break.

Coming out for the second half, Doncaster looked a completely different side. They flew out of the traps and forced a corner early, but couldn’t capitalise on the opportunity.

An end to end game began to unfold with a Barry Fuller cross headed behind by a Doncaster defender and a Madger Gomes effort deflected narrowly over, almost certainly leaving hearts in mouths in the away end.

On 62 minutes Steve Evans decided to blink first with a double change. On came Mark Marshall and Elliott List to replace Regan Charles-Cook and Alex Jakubiak – an injection of pace, if you will.

The sponsor’s man of the match, Alfie May, forced Jack Bonham into action for the first time bar the goal, really, as the clock ticked over to 65 minutes, before a flurry of changes came including the introductions of Mark Byrne and Niall Ennis.

Brandon Hanlan thought he was in as the game drew to a conclusion, leaving the away end gasping when he was pegged back by the linesman’s flag waving in the air.

That was to be Gillingham’s last notable attack of the game, as Doncaster turned up the heat in the final 10 minutes.

New signing Alex Baptiste headed just wide from another home free kick before Jack Bonham was forced into a double save of his own late on to deny the home side a winner.

Doncaster almost found that winner when Ben Whiteman dragged a shot narrowly wide with Alfie May screaming for the ball in space, but it wasn’t to be, and the spoils were shared at a goal each at the Keepmoat Stadium.

 

Doncaster: Lawlor, Halliday, Baptiste, Anderson, James, Whiteman, Sheaf, Gomes (Ennis 67), May, Sadlier, Coppinger (Crawford 84)

Subs not used: John, Blair, Longbottom, Kiwomya, Dieng

Goals: Saldier 45+2

 

Gillingham: Bonham, Hodson, O’Keefe, Ehmer, Hanlan, Ndjoli (Byrne 72), Charles-Cook (List 62), Fuller, Jones, Cissé, Jakubiak (Marshall 62)

Subs not used: Walsh, Garmston, Ogilvie, Mandron

Goals: Jakubiak 30

 

Attendance: 7939 (618 away)

Referee: Mr J Busby

Assistants: Mr A Pashley, Mr B Smallwood

Fourth Official: Mr D Bourne