It was a performance that the faithful had been praying for and finally, finally Gillingham delivered… and how, as League Two early leaders Chesterfield saw their unbeaten start to the EFL season blown away.
Gareth Ainsworth’s side laid down a maker for the rest of the division.
Ahead at the breakthrough an Armani Little penalty following Josh Andrews being taken out by Chesterfield keeper Zach Hemming – who was extremely fortunate not to be even cautioned.
Given what followed after the break, Hemming probably had the same thoughts as he was beaten again from Little from twelve yards – this time after Eliott Nevitt was felled by Ryan Stirk.
The visitors almost immediately pulled one back through Armondo Dobra, but the Gills response was instant as Lenni Cirino scored a wonder debut goal racing through to drill into the net in front of the Rainham End who duly acclaimed their new hero!
The icing was put on this particular “cake”, arriving in stoppage time when two subs combined – Nelson Khumbeni did really well to steal the ball and his ball into the box which Marcus Wyllie hammered home for the fourth and his first goal in Gillingham blue!
After a very tight and close opening Darcy had the first shot on goal as Glenn Morris made a really good save to his left.
The game literally exploded into life when Jonny Williams went down in the box after racing onto an Andrews flick which led to both managers “exchanging” views with the fourth official; referee Mr. Hicks being called over and Chesterfield boss Paul Cook was shown the yellow card whilst Ainsworth went and sat down!
Just before the half hour, Andrews brilliantly anticipated a poor square defensive ball and was unceremoniously clattered by Hemming giving the referee no choice.
Bizarrely, there were complaints from the visitors which were waved away, and Little stepped up and rolled the ball into the bottom left corner of the net as the keeper dived to his right.
The home side went looking for a second and Andrews shot wide after Andy Smith had helped on after Remeao Hutton’s throw had been half cleared.
The wait ended five minutes into the second period. A long Hutton throw was played into Nevitt’s path by a superbly cushioned header from Ethan Coleman, and after Nevitt had his legs taken away from him, Little again sent Hemming the wrong way from the spot!
Chesterfield rallied immediately and pulled a goal back three minutes later as Dobra latched onto a Will Grigg knock down with the Chesterfield man beating Morris low into the corner.
Just three more minutes later, MEMS Priestfield had a new hero with Cirino latched onto a long Morris clearance which was allowed to bounce through the defence. The young man raced onto the ball, held off three defenders before blasting the ball past a flailing Hemming, sending the Rainham End into wild celebrations for their new hero!
Nevitt was denied by a smart save at the foot of his left post by Hemming before Cirino was the first to receive a standing ovation from the home fans when he went off at the half’s midway point!
Chesterfield had plenty of possession, but the Gills defensive trio of Robbie McKenzie, Smith and Sam Gale were not to be beaten again and the visitors who saw their unbeaten start disappearing by the minute became more and more dis-heartened.
Andrews was then given a second standing ovation as he dragged his weary body from the field and it was his replacement, Wyllie, who was to have the final word.
With ninety minutes on the clock, Khumbeni robbed a defender wide on the left, and rolled the ball across the box finding Wyllie who hammered home his first Gillingham goal to cap what was a wonderful night for all those in blue!
Just to put this result into perspective – before these ninety minutes the Gills had only scored EIGHT League goals at Priestfield since January the first!
The faithful will obviously be hoping for a repeat performance at the weekend when they face Crewe Alexandra – now the only team left in League Two with four wins out of four!
GILLINGHAM – Morris, McKenzie, Smith, Gale, Hutton, Jonny Williams (Dack 87), Coleman, Little (Khumbeni 87), Cirino (Rowe 68), Nevitt (Wyllie 81), Andrews (Vokes 81).
Subs not used – Turner, Gbode.
Goals: Little (pen 28, pen 50), Cirino (56), Wyllie (91).
Booked: Andrews (37), Cirino (45+1), Coleman (71), Nevitt (73).
CHESTERFIELD – Hemming, Gordon (Lewis), McFadzean, Dunkley, Stick, Naylor (Fleck 70), Darcy (Duffy 77), Dobra, Campbell (Mandeville 70), Markanday, Grigg (Bonis 69).
Subs not used – Boot, Grimes.
Goal: Dobra (53).
Booked: Campbell (62).
REFEREE – Mr. Craig Hicks
Attendance: 5518
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.