It wasn’t to be on FA Cup Third Round Day for Stephen Clemence and Gillingham as Premier League Sheffield United scored twice in each half to run out comfortable winners at Priestfield.
Two first half goals from William Osula gave the Blades a comfortable lead going into the closing stages when Gills skipper Max Ehmer beat keeper Wes Foderingham only for the German’s header to come back off the inside of the left post bouncing over the prone keeper in the process.
That’s as close as it got for the home side as James McAtee then scored twice in four minutes in the final seven to give United’s deserved victory a somewhat flattering final scoreline.
It was a strong visitors side as Chris Wilder named six of his side beaten at Manchester City last time out in his Priestfield starting line-up, while the Gills’ Head Coach named the same side that beat Colchester United on New Year’s Day.
Connor Masterson had the game’s first shot blocked before Osula gave the visitors the lead – Jake Turner look away now! The Gills stopper who has been in such fine form all season will have been so disappointed to have seen the striker slide the ball through his legs to open the scoring.
The goal put the Gills on the back foot – Andre Brooks shot wide, and the Gills were grateful to see McAtee’s free kick go all the way through the box without any touch whatsoever!
United doubled their lead five minutes from the break as Osula was first to react after Turner had produced a good block to beat out Femi Seriki’s low drive – Osula netting from a tight angle.
The Gills rallied and Ollie Hawkins – who again had a good game as he regains his match fitness – came agonisingly close to his first goal since his return as his header (from Connor Mahoney’s free-kick) was brilliantly kept out by Foderingham and sadly for the Gills unlike at the other end, Ashley Nadesan was unable to turn the rebound home.
Hawkins was inches away from the first chance of the second period where he just could not reach a corner as the game developed into a Cup-tie with chances at both ends, until with twenty minutes left the home side had a great chance to set up an amazing finale. Mahoney’s shot was inches wide and from the resulting corner, Hawkins’ header whistled over the bar.
The Gills got even closer on eighty minutes when skipper Ehmer headed a Mahoney free kick beyond the keeper but onto the inside of the post and instead of hitting the back of Foderingham and into the net giving the Gills a lifeline, the ball bounced over the prone keeper and was hacked away!
To add insult to the faithful’s injury, McAtee then fired past Turner from Oliver Norwood’s pass before the same player drilled home number four with three minutes left to seal the Premier League side’s progress
GILLINGHAM – Turner, Alexander (Jayden Clarke 60), Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie, Malone, Jefferies (Lapslie 86), Coleman, Mahoney (Dieng 86), Nadesan (Nichols 60), Hawkins (Bonne 86).
Subs not used – Morris, Max Clark, McKenzie, Shaun Williams.
Booked: Coleman (82).
SHEFFIELD UNITED – Foderingham, Brooks (Souza 77), Seriki, Norrington-Davies (Osborn 86), Robinson, Thomas, Norwood, Hamer, McAtee, Osula (Brewster 72), Archer (Brereton Diaz 72).
Subs not used – Davies, McBurnie, Coulibaly, Buyabu, Easton.
Goals: Osula (14), (39), McAtee (83), (87).
Booked: Thomas (41).
REFEREE – Mr Darren Bond
Attendance: 8809
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club