Gillingham bowed out of the Carabao Cup on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon at MEMS Priestfield as League One Luton Town eased into Round Two.
Gareth Ainsworth’s new look side couldn’t really have picked much tougher available opposition for their first competitive match together as the Hatters arrived at Priestfield having won last season’s EFL Trophy and being among the favourites to the Championship for many pundits.
The drama began pre-match when the emergency on loan signing of keeper Owen Mason from Mansfield Town was announced as the Gills had no fit keepers, and including Mason, four others made their competitive debut in Gillingham blue.
The keeper was busy early on denying Jake Richards; Andy Smith did well to deny Nakhi Wells, before the visitors had the ball in the net, but Mason had been fouled in the build-up, before the keeper was again called into action to deny Jordan Clarke.
Finally, the home side got a foot in the game and just as it looked as though the Gills could get something, Luton scored – Wells slamming home a good through ball just before the break.
Bendict Benagr started the second period in search of a second Luton goal – his dangerous cross needing touching over by Mason, and then a pinpoint cross was headed wide before the Luton man got his wish on the hour and it was tough on Mason, who pulled off an excellent save to deny Clark only for the ball to run to the unmarked Benagr who side footed home.
New signings Kadeem Harris and James Bophry so nearly combined to get the Gills back in the game with the former being denied by keeper Josh Keeley’s feet, before the Gills made FIVE changes – their complete set of substitutions – with twenty-two minutes left sadly to no avail!
Mason again was proving to be the Gills hero saving from Shayden Morris and Kal Naismith on two occasions before Gideon Kouda was on hand to make it three after, yet another Mason block went unrewarded.
The Gills looked for at least an opening day goal late on with both Robbie McKenzie and Sully Booth going close, but Luton could have grabbed a fourth right at the death with an effort that smacked off a post.
That’s the fifth straight first round exit in domestic cup football for the Gills and the third year in a row that the club has fallen at the first hurdle of the Carabao Cup.
Manager Ainsworth was always keen to judge his side against a top League One side before starting the season next week – hopefully he saw enough to plot the downfall of Walsall in seven days time…
GILLINGHAM – Mason, Freeman, Smith, Beckles, Dobbs (McManus 67), Harris (Kendall 67), McKenzie, Albarus (Waldock 67), Brophy, Palmer-Houlden (Goodwin 67), Hale (Booth 67).
Subs not used – Holtam, Webster, Theodore, Luxton.
Booked: Albarus (49).
LUTON TOWN – Keeley, Jones (Ashby 69), Odoffin, Johnston, Naismith, Clark, Walsh (Sandal 69), Luker (Palmer 48), Richards (Morris 68), Benagr (Kodua 69), Wells.
Subs not used – Shea, Andersen, Johnson, Cole.
Goals: Wells (43), Benagr (59), Kodua (78).
REFEREE – Mr Parkinson.
Attendance: 4015
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.