Gillingham’s recent “love-affair” with the Carabao Cup continued as they dumped one of last season’s semi-finalists out of the new competition in Round One on a triumphant night under the Priestfield lights.
Last season in all their struggles in League Two, Neil Harris’ side reached Round Four for just the third time in the Club’s history, but Southampton reached the last four and beat treble winners Manchester City en route.
Different season, different competition, yes, and yes the Saints new boss Russell Martin changed his complete team since Friday’s win over Sheffield Wednesday, but it must also be noted that the Gills boss made his promised changes – five of them – from the win at Stockport, as Glenn Morris, match-winner Robbie McKenzie, Max Clark, Jayden Clarke and Ashley Nadesan all came into the starting eleven.
One of the only constants from the win at Edgeley Park was the fact that McKenzie was again on the scoresheet – not once, but twice in front of an ecstatic Rainham End in the space of sixteen second half minutes, adding to Ashley Nadesan’s home debut goal which started the scoring early on.
Not even a last minute “consolation” for the visitors could take anything away from the Gills as another visitor fell at Fortress Priestfield.
The Gills started brilliantly and Nadesan was on hand at the back post to slide home Ethan Coleman’s superb ball in from the left flank, and the home side were desperately unlucky not to double their lead when Coleman thumped a great header off the frame of the goal from Max Clark’s right-wing corner.
The Championship side, as you would expect, rallied and Sekou Mara was desperately unlucky not to level the scores as his vicious angled half volley crashed against Morris’ crossbar.
The Gills were denied a second on the stroke of the break as McKenzie headed home from another Clark corner only for the “goal” to be ruled out. It was a warning that the Saints didn’t heed…
Six minutes after the break, Cheye Alexander’s deep cross to the back post was brilliantly headed back by Shad Ogie, Max Ehmer’s touch found McKenzie who poked home at the front post.
Two became three and the upset all but complete just before the midway point of the half as Coleman’s header from another Clark corner was blocked and as the ball fell to McKenzie, his arrowed shot flew past Alex McCarthy and into the bottom corner of the net – if the second had generated scenes of celebration, the third saw Priestfield erupt and go absolutely potty!
Southampton were a well beaten side, and it could have gotten even worse for the Saints as Tom Nichols was denied a first goal of the season as his shot from the edge of the box – from Scott Malone’s wonderful centre – was superbly kept out by McCarthy’s legs.
The visitors did get on the scoreboard in the final minute when Alcaraz drilled home, but the muted celebrations on and off the pitch told the story of another amazing night for Harris and this Gillingham side whose rise, and rise continue to almost become bewildering…
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Alexander, McKenzie, Ehmer, Ogie, Clark, Coleman, Jefferies (Jonny Williams 71), Clarke (Gbode 84), Lapslie (Malone 71), Nadesan (Nichols 71).
Subs not used – Turner, Gale, Chambers.
Goals: Nadesan (12), McKenzie (51, 67).
Booked: Lapslie (27), Jefferies (58), McKenzie (65), Ehmer (88), Gbode (92).
SOUTHAMPTON – McCarthy, Bree, Lyanco, Charles, Perraud (Alcaraz 59), Meghoma (Dibbling 85), S.Armstrong (Aribo H/T), Djenepo, Amo-Ameyaw, Adams (Onuachu 68), Mara (Doyle H/T).
Subs not used – Lumley, Stephens, Edozie, Ballard.
Goal: Alcaraz (89).
Booked: Perraud (44), Charles (64), Lyanco (78).
REFEREE – Mr Carl Brook
Attendance: 7,775
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.