Gills 1 - 2 Saints Reserves

GILLS RESERVES 1-2 SOUTHAMPTON
Posted on: Wed 10 Sep 2008

The Gills are still awaiting their first point in the Football Combination after the Saints strolled to victory at the krbs Priestfield Stadium, writes Richard Day.

Gillingham, who had previously lost at Lewes, were beaten by a young but useful Southampton side under Dutch coach Mark Wotte which included former Czech Republic international Rudi Skacel and the pacey Nathan Dyer.

Gillingham included five trialists in their squad, Marcus Haber, a Canadian Under-23 international, Albert Jarrett, Tyron Amory, Roland Benedict, and striker Trevor Benjamin who scored one goal (against West Ham) in four appearances for the Gills on loan from Leicester City back in the 2003-04 season.

The most impressive of these was winger Jarrett, previously with Wimbledon, Brighton and Watford, who showed some neat touches and great crossing ability and had a big hand in Benjamin's 69th minute consolation.

Southampton started brightly and the Gills failed to heed an early warning, Kyle Davies volleying over a Dyer corner, when the South Coast side took a 7th minute lead. Yet another Dyer corner was powerfully headed home by American Davies from around six yards.

Chances came and went for the visitors but gradually the Gills got into the game with Jarrett to the fore. Their best chance of the half came from his 38th minute cross when Haber stole in behind his marker but his downward header was too close to keeper Tommy Forecast.

Saints striker Matthew Paterson could have helped himself to a hatful of goals but he probably knew it wasn't going to be his day when he saw his shot smack against the post minutes after the break.

Stuart Lewis was denied by Forecast at his near post and a curling Jarrett cross dropped inches wide before the visitors added a second in the 62nd minute. Dyer's corner wasn't cleared and the ball fell invitingly for Paterson to drill home a low shot past Alan Julian.

Two minutes later the Gills had vehement appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Keith Yeo when Leigh Mills goalbound header seemed to strike the hand of Skacel - all they got was a corner.

Jarrett cut inside but fired a rising shot inches over before the Gills pulled one back in the 69th minute. The winger curled in a great free-kick from the right, Ellis Munday had been fouled, and Benjamin rose to plant a firm header beyond the Saints keeper.

Yet another great run from Jarrett almost led to an equaliser minutes later. His low cross that followed eventually found substitute Tayler Thomas who in turn fed the on-rushing Mark Bentley. The midfielder evaded one challenge before seeing his shot cleared by Jeffrey Imudia.

Paterson should have done better with two chances that came his way in the closing stages. First he headed straight at Julian from a Jamie White corner then after more brilliance from Dyer, who set him up perfectly, the striker somehow steered the ball wide of the far post from close range.

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Ellis Munday, Danny Walder, Leigh Mills, Rimmel Daniel, Stuart Lewis, Tyron Amory (45 Tayler Thomas), Mark Bentley, Trevor Benjamin, Marcus Haber (74 Roland Benedict), Albert Jarrett

Subs: Rory Hill, Chris Kiely

Southampton: Tommy Forecast, Sam Argent, Jeffrey Imudia, Kyle Davies, Rudi Skacel, Tom Dunford (60 Ben Reeves), Nathan Dyer, Jamie Hatch, Matthew Paterson, Jake Thomson, Jamie White

Subs: Ryan Tafazolli, Andrej Pernecky, Kayne McLaggon, Michael Byrne