Bradley Dack’s second half strike earned Gillingham all three points under the baking sun at MEMS Priestfield as Gareth Ainsworth’s side made a winning start to another campaign at home base. 

Dack was first to react as the ball ricocheted around the Saddlers box with Conor Masterson and Andy Smith have efforts blocked before Dack showed immense composure to power the ball into the bottom corner to send the home fans, who numbered over six thousand, into delight. 

Both sides had half chances early on – Robbie McKenzie volleying wide and Charlie Lakin clearing Glenn Morris’s bar from 20 yards – and it set the tone for the half. 

Dack fizzed a shot just too high as a centre from Remeao Hutton was headed out to his feet whilst Morris made a good save to keep out a Mason Hancock header at the second time of asking. 

Josh Andrews was introduced at the break for Joe Gbode and the Gills enjoyed the early stages of the second period and just before the hour, they struck. Hutton’s long throw caused mayhem, Masterson and Smith both had efforts blocked before Dack drilled the ball past Myles Roberts to give the Gills a lead they probably just about deserved. 

Despite losing Masterson shortly after, the home defence wasn’t really troubled and on another day Mckenzie and sub-Marcus Wyllie could have doubled the lead and the Gills advantage. 

But on this day, Bradley Dack’s second goal since returning to Priestfield sealed the win and maintained the bosses remarkable run of not have been beaten in a League game since joining the club in March.

GILLINGHAM: Morris, Hutton, Smith, Masterson (Gale), Ogie, Clark, McKenzie, Little, Dack (Coleman), Gbode (Andrews), Nevitt (Wyllie) 

Subs – Turner, Khumbeni, Jonny Williams  

WALSALL – Roberts, Browne, Flint, Hancock, Barrett, Lakin, Jellis (Clarke), Warrington (Hollman), Weir (Adomah), Pressley (Matt), Stuttle (Gordon) 

Subs – Hornby, Farquharson  

REFEREE – Mr. Martin 

Attendance: 6498

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC