A poor performance and being reduced to ten men summed up Gillingham’s Saturday afternoon as they lost 3-0 at York City.
Travelling north with a real sense of hope and optimism after three consecutive wins, Gareth Ainsworth’s side went into the League Two clash expecting to be competitive against former Chatham Town manager Scott Lindsey’s team that were promoted from the National League back in the spring.
Ainsworth was forced into one change with Will Goodwin coming into the side in the place of Lamin Sillah with the on loan Nottingham Forest striker not even deemed fit enough to take his place on the bench.
There was also a new face on the bench with goalkeeper Rohan Luthra named among the substitutes having signed on a deal until January.
The 24-year-old, who made his pro debut in 2023, most recently played for Eastbourne Borough and has also had spells with Slough Town and Spennymoor.
The writing was on the wall for The Gills in the opening minute when skipper Omar Beckles failed to connect with a ball over the top and The Minstermen didn’t have to be that patient to open the scoring as they took the lead in the second minute.
A cross from the right after another ball over the top saw the Gillingham defence carved wide open and when it fell to Joe Grey at the back post, his scuffed shot into the ground somehow looped up and beyond Ollie Wright into the net.
Only 18 minutes had passed when Gillingham were forced into their first change with Goodwin dropping to the ground and had to be replaced by Zane Albarus.
Unfortunately the change didn’t change the shape of the game as the home side poured forward and it could easily have been 2-0 in both the 26th and 27th minutes as Pearce was denied by Wright and then Alex Newby saw his effort come back off the post.
Four minutes later and Gillingham were forced into their second change – Eli King limping off to be replaced by 39 year old Garath McCleary.
Only another three minutes on and Alex Hunt squared for Newby but his effort went narrowly wide of the post.
That should have been a massive wake up call for an our of sorts Gillingham defence, but they looked all over the place as Hunt hit the post again in the 39th minute with Pearce unable to bundle home the rebound.
A scrappy end to the half saw Beckles booked in the 37th minute, Robbie McKenzie in the 45th and Joe Grey for the home side just on the stroke of half time.
Half Time: York City 1-0 Gillingham
Coming out from the break just one goal down and all to play for, the travelling Gills fans hoped to see their side come out the blocks with a greater sense of urgency, but normal service was soon resumed and the home side were back on top within minutes.
Minutes after picking up a booking himself, McCleary found some space down the left, cut into the box and saw his right footed effort go just wide of the post.
That was probably as close as The Gills would come to scoring all game and Albarus was booked on the hour mark for a high foot.
Knowing the game was going against his side, Ainsworth made a triple change on 65 minutes with Andy Smith, Logan Dobbs and Ronan Hale taken off to be replaced by Bradley Dack, Jack Daley and Sheldon Kendall.
They’d only been on the pitch for about six minutes when Gillingham were reduced to ten men – Albarus being clumsy and picking up his second booking of the game.
That killed the game and four minutes later it was put beyond doubt when Jovan Malcolm struck past Wright from the edge of the area.
Two became three just five minutes later when Pearce deflected in Harry Boyes’ strike from outside the box, much to the delight of the home support.
The final ten minutes and stoppages won’t live long in the memory, but James Brophy did have a strike that clipped the top of the bar on 85 minutes to bring some cheer to those fans already planning their trip back to Kent.
Full Time: York City 3-0 Gillingham
The defeat for The Gills sees them drop to 7th place in League Two, just inside the play-off places on goal difference.
Next up for Ainsworth’s side is Newport County at home on Saturday 3rd October and they will be hoping some of the injured and walking wounded will be fit to take their places in the squad.
York City: Alfie McNally, Ryan Fallowfield, Mark Kitching, Zak Johnson, Joe Grey (Frankie Maguire 81), Alex Hunt, Ollie Pearce, Harry Boyes, Joe Felix (Arthur Read 81), Ollie Banks (Jeff King 81), Alex Newby (Jovan Malcolm 57).
Subs not used: George Sykes-Kenworthy, Ash Palmer, Jack Hunt.
Goals: Grey (2), Malcolm (75), Pearce (80).
Booked: J Grey (45+3).
Gillingham: Ollie Wright, Andy Smith (jack Daley 65), Will Goodwin (Zane Albarus 19), Ronan Hale (Bradley Dack 65), Robbie McKenzie, James Brophy, Omar Beckles, Nick Freeman, Harry Waldock, Logan Dobbs (Sheldon Kendall 65), Eli King (Garath McCleary 31).
Subs not used: Rohan Luthra, Cameron Antwi.
Booked: Beckles (37), Mckenzie (45+1), McCleary (50), Albarus (60).
Sent Off: Albarus (71).
Referee: Mr Scott Oldham
Assistants: Mr Matthew McGrath & Mr Joe Simpson
4th Official: Mr Charles King
Attendance: 8438