Danny Lloyd (or Vadaine Oliver) earned Gillingham a point as the faithful returned to Priestfield for the first time in 555 days for the 1-1 draw with Lincoln City.
A new look team with five making their Football League bow in Gillingham blue with two others coming off the bench to represent the club for the first time and a come from behind point on opening day against a side that many have tipped to challenge at least for the Play Offs.
Overall, a good opening point for Steve Evans’ side as they rallied from going behind to the division’s first goal of the season when Jamie Cumming’s goal was breached after just four minutes when Tayo Edun smashed the ball past the unlucky Gills custodian after he’d made a wonderful save to keep out Anthony Scully’s effort.
Last season’s top scorer Oliver was always a threat and was only denied an opening day leveller by the width of the Priestfield woodwork as a looping header beat Imps keeper Josh Griffiths, before the returning Max Ehmer was denied a dream come back goal when Griffiths pulled off a terrific block from the rebound.
The Priestfield faithful were then finally treated to the goal that so many had missed since the ground last hosted spectators in February 2019 – but exactly who scored it could be open for debate for a lot longer than this game will be remembered! In a goalmouth scramble, both Lloyd and Oliver were on hand to send the ball over the Lincoln goal line and although the goal was “given” to the Watford loanee, the discussions will continue for some time in the dressing room.
The second half became cagier and cagier with chances becoming very rare with the clearest falling to Edun for the visitors – his shot flashing past Cumming’s post – and Oliver for the Gills – who raced onto Kyle Dempsey’s through ball only for Griffiths to claw away his attempted lob.
Griffiths was beaten by debut making sub – Mustapha Carayol, whose low drive whistled inches wide before Cumming was on hand to deny Regan Poole in the 89th minute.
The returning faithful were left to reflect that their heroes didn’t lose on a very different opening day in a very different world since the last time they would have exited home base back in February 2019. And given that there were nearly 600 visiting supporters in the crowd of around five and a half thousand, many may still remain to be convinced that football really has come home!
GILLINGHAM – Cumming, Bennett, Ehmer, Tucker, Tutonda, Phillips, O’Keefe (Sithole 83), Dempsey, Lee (Reeves 70), Lloyd (Carayol 69), Oliver.
Subs not used – Chapman, Lintott, Maghoma, Akehurst.
Goal: Lloyd (44).
Booked: Phillips (63), Tutonda (68).
LINCOLN CITY – Griffiths, Poole, Jackson, Melbourne, Edun, Bramall (Adelakun 65), Scully, Sorenson (Bishop 80), Bridcutt, McGrandles, Hopper.
Subs not used – Long, Montsma, Sanders, Jones, Longdon.
Goal: Edun (4).
Booked: Bramall (6), Edun (17).
REFEREE – Mr Thomas Bramall
Attendance: 5,486.
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.