Gillingham got their 2020/21 season underway win a win against Southend United in the first round of the Carabao Cup on Saturday.
After a strange first 25 minutes, Connor Ogilvie headed in Kyle Dempsey’s corner for the only goal of the game, before Ryan Jackson saw red in the second half for two yellow cards.
Southend pushed and pushed for the last half-an-hour against the 10-man Gills, but they couldn’t find a way through and it is Gillingham who will be in the hat for the second round.
Story of the match
The opening few minutes left little to report on. The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges without really testing Jack Bonham in the Gillingham goal, Isaac Hutchinson and then Jordan Green seeing efforts blocked by Chris Maghoma and Stuart O’Keefe as Gills players but their bodies on the line.
Bonham’s first save came from new Southend signing Green before John Akinde headed a corner wide for the Gills, but the deadlock was broken in the 27th minute through the Gills’ 2029/20 ‘Player of the Season’ Connor Ogilvie.
Blues captain Kyle Dempsey whipped in a corner and Ogilvie was there at the near post unmarked to head home and put the Gills ahead, his marker Elvis Bwomono kicking the advertising board in frustration as the men in blue wheeled away in celebration.
Gillingham began to grow into the game as Vadaine Oliver enjoyed a few touches, before Dempsey curled a decent effort side from distance.
An interesting battle between Green and Jackson took a turn just before half-time when the latter was cautioned for an arm in the face, and there was still time in the half for Charlie Kelman to fire wide despite some late Gills pressure.
79' Green is brought down, not for the first time this afternoon, and he wins the free kick out on the left wing. #Gills 1-0 #Blues
— Southend United (@SUFCRootsHall) September 5, 2020
Gillingham should have been 2-0 up almost straight away after the start of the second period. Oliver, who had put himself about aplenty in the first half, found a floater ball right in his area, roughly six yards from goal, but the unmarked former Northampton Town man headed agonisingly wide.
The game was turned on its head just before the hour mark when Jackson was given his marching orders. Already on a yellow, Jackson pulled down Green as the Southend man broke - referee Christopher Pollard showing no hesitation in producing a second yellow card and sending Jackson on his way.
With the Gills now up against it, defender Jack Tucker was introduced from the bench as new Shrimpers manager Mark Moseley twisted with the introduced of forward Stephen Humphreys.
Southend began to ramp up the pressure as Gillingham, a man down, were forced into their shell, and the equaliser almost came when Hutchinson rattled the post from a free kick.
Kelman headed a good chance over before Lewis Gard fired straight at Bonham, and deep into stoppage time the woodwork was struck again by Kelman, who had his head in his hands knowing that was the golden chance, from a decent angle.
The referee’s whistle followed and it was Gillingham who prevailed, but not without having to work for their reward following Ryan Jackson’s dismissal.
BACK WITH A W 😍 pic.twitter.com/GeNGzHSY6W
— Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) September 5, 2020
Takeaways from the match
Gillingham’s defence strong
It was the Gills’ defence that helped them to a 10th place finish in League One last season, conceding just 34 goals from their 35 games. Many feared it would be hard to repeat that feat after the departures of last-season regulars Max Ehmer, Barry Fuller and Alfie Jones, but this game suggested that this term’s defence is up to the challenge.
New signings Chris Maghoma, Robbie McKenzie and Zech Medley all impressed, and an opening day clean sheet won’t go a miss for Steve Evans’ side.
Blues need more up top
Although their defence is strong, Gillingham are evidently lacking options up top. There are currently just two strikers on the Gills’ books in the form of John Akinde and Vadaine Oliver, and they are both pretty similar. Despite their solid defensive record, the team struggled for goals last year, drawing 15 of their 35 games, and attacking investments are needed if they want to improve the goals scored column this season.
Not all bad for Southend
Southend fans would, in all honesty, have been delighted to see last season cut short after having to endure a truly tragic campaign from their team. When the season was ended the Shrimpers had 19 points from 35 games and were 16 points from safety. But it’s a new season, they have new management, and they looked decent here and did everything but score.
It’s a performance to build on as they look to bounce back from last year’s relegation.
Stand-out players
Kyle Dempsey
The former Fleetwood Town man made the move to Gillingham with a lot of hype behind him and he has backed that up so far with some impressive pre-season performances and a good showing here.
He defended excellently and kept play ticking over well, often pulling off some impressive passes from central midfield. He will be key for Gillingham this season.
Chris Maghoma
Like Dempsey, Maghoma joined Gillingham after reported interest from higher levels and his first showing in a blue shirt didn’t disappoint.
Strong in the tackle and comfortable with the ball, he slotted into centre back nicely and looked right at home. There’s plenty of competition to get into Gillingham’s back line this year, and Maghoma did his chances no harm of doing that here.
Jordan Green
Green has probably been Southend’s signing of the summer so far and he put on a show here. He gave Ryan Jackson the runaround, being fouled twice as the fullback saw red, and threatened consistently all afternoon down the left hand side. He will give a few League Two fullbacks headaches this season.