On the first of two long away trips in just over 72 hours, goals from Shad Ogie and Tim Dieng sealed three Gillingham points as Stephen Clemence’s side climbed back into the League Two play-off places with a 2-0 win at Salford.
Ogie’s first goal for the Club arrived just before the break and when Dieng doubled the lead just after the break sweeping home Ashley Nadesan’s ball, the Gills had a secure hold on what looked like an awkward away game in their quest for the division’s top seven.
In the end, Glenn Morris and his defenders secured another clean sheet defying everything that Salford had to offer and some really inclement weather to bring the points home to Kent.
After the Head Coach named the same side that beat Wrexham last week, meaning Morris retained his place ahead of the fit again Jake Turner.
With conditions making things difficult under foot, it’s little surprise that until Ogie scored neither keeper was really tested but then four minutes from the break, Morris saved well from Connor Tilt.
Almost instantly, the Gills went up the other end and took the lead. Romeao Hutton’s corner was helped on by Ethan Coleman and Ogie was on hand to bury his header into the net and duly celebrated his first Gillingham goal.
That was two minutes before the break and eight playing minutes later (six minutes into the second period) the lead was doubled. Nadesan broke after a home attack stuttered and as he found Dieng, the Frenchman gloriously swept the ball into the net for back-to-back goals in League games for the Gills, cue wild celebrations by more than 500 travelling fans; an incredible effort in a gate of less than three thousand!
Salford skipper Eliott Watt was denied by a stunning Morris save as the home side went looking for a way back into the game, Watt’s curling effort from the edge of the box was magnificently turned aside by a full-length Gills stopper!
Home top scorer Matt Smith then missed a golden chance to get the home side back in the game in the final ten minutes, but could not hit the target with a header, before Dieng was well denied by home keeper Alex Cairns as he looked to seal the points for the visitors.
The home side threw everything at Morris and his back line as the minutes ticked by, but just as against then leaders Stockport (with Turner) and against free scoring Wrexham last weekend, Morris and his defence held firm to secure the points and seventh place despite a massive hailstorm swamping the final stages.
Clemence, his players and the brilliant travelling support now face a quick turn round before the longest trip of the season on Tuesday to face a Barrow side who the Gills knocked out of the play-off places with this win.
Salford City – Cairns, Ingram (Morton H/T), Vassell, Tilt, John, Watson (Hendry 72), Watt, Chesters, Humbles (McLennan H/T), McAleny (Lund 72), Smith.
Subs not used – Torrance, Mariappa, Malcolm.
Booked: Ingram (17), Tilt (35), Cairns (52).
Gillingham – Morris, Hutton, Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie, Max Clark (Malone 85), Coleman, Dieng (McKenzie 85), Jonny Williams (Shaun Williams 79), Nadesan (Mahoney 68), Hawkins.
Subs not used – Turner, Jayden Clarke, Walker.
Goal: Ogie (43), Dieng (51).
Booked: Masterson (36).
Referee – Mr Ross Joyce
Attendance: 2995
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC