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Full time: Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
Hull City win a competitive game in 90 minutes for the first time since beating Middlesborough 2-1 in early July.
Keane Lewis-Potter got the Tigers in front early, directing a George Honeyman effort goalwards to score his second goal in a week. Gillingham put the Tigers under plenty of pressure, but the Hull defence stood first in the first half.
Hull had the better of the chances in the second half and got their reward ten minutes from time. Josh Magennis headed home Honeyman's cross to make it 2-0. In truth, the Tigers could have had 3 or 4. De Wijs, Lewis-Potter and Wilks all had chances to add to the scoreline that was convincing in the end.
Thanks for joining me for the live commentary on VAVEL. Lewis Browning will be bringing you the report later on, so look out for that. I've been Luke Flanagan, and enjoy the rest of the football this evening!
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
ITS OVER!
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
Late corner for Gillingham...
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
90+3 - Gillingham looking tired. Their passing has become wayward. Hull will be desperate to keep that clean sheet...
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
ANOTHER CHANCE! Batty won it and played in Wilks but his touch lets him down.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
90+2' - Emmanuel with the free kick. Wilks tries to create a chance to shoot but Gillingham get it away.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
CHANCE! Wilks squared to Lewis-Potter but MacKenzie blocked the chance that should have seen a third.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
CHANCE! Emmanuel has an effort that goes high and wide. Shame as he's played well today and should have done better there.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
Five minutes of added time.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
90' - It opened up for Smallwood there but the chance is wasted after a poor pass.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
89' - Gillingham have only lost twice in 15 home games. Hull have done well today considering that record.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
88' - Lewis-Potter gets back and defends well. Hull are looking for the out ball in the final minutes here as they look to have a first clean sheet in 20 games.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
87' - Ingram's free kick is overhit and it's a Gillingham goal kick.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
86' - On comes promising youngster Callum Jones after a good performance in midweek. One for the future this lad, but great to see another U23 player making his debut. Docherty goes off after an excellent shift.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
85' - Should be three! Fleming took it in the end and De Wijs was there at the back post and he should have scored there. He blasted it way over.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
84' - Very mature play from Fleming as he draws the foul for another Hull City free kick. Batty over it.
Gillingham 0-2 Hull City
82' - Honeyman's free kick was excellent and Magennis gets the goal his performance deserved. Two assists for Honeyman, two goals for Hull City for the first time away from home since early July. James Scott comes on for the goal scorer and Dan Batty comes on for Honeyman.
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JOSH MAGENNIS!!!!
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
81' - Cynical there! Referee Andy Woolmer books Ogilvie for pulling down Wilks.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
80' - James Scott and Dan Batty look ready to come on for the visitors...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
79' - Hull with possession before then trying to go over the top and wasting it, but Gillingham punt it up front again and it just drifts out for a goal kick.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
78' - Shocking decision there as Lewis-Potter is penalised for knocking down a Gills player who is about three stone heavier than him...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
77'- Ingram's free kick. Play stopped - the referee and the 4th official chat before booking Steve Evans' assistant. You don't see that often!
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
74' - Akinde fouls Fleming and Hull look to slow the game down again. Honeyman and Fleming over the ball, about 40/45 yards out.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
73' - Jack Bonham does well to pluck the ball out of the air. Hull with it again and Docherty looks dangerous but Gills clear.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
71' - Oi oi! Wilks is the victim of a nasty tackle and then Honeyman takes exception to that with O'Keefe, and there are shirts grabbed and words said. O'Keefe went into the book there. So did Honeyman. I can't see Steve Evans, but not surprisingly, I can hear him over the commentary team.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
70' - Lots of good pressure from Hull City, and they end up winning a corner. They'll look to kill the game off if they can as the game approches the last 20 minutes.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
69' - Lewis-Potter with the shot and Medley blocks it out for a throw-in to the Tigers.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
68' - Honeyman plays a nice ball to Emmanuel and he draws the foul near the halfway line.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
66' - Wilks should have squared to Magennis there for Hull. Docherty does really well to beat McKenzie and the chance comes to nothing.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
65' - Fleming looks for Lewis-Potter down the line but it goes straight out for a throw.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
Should just say that Gills made changes at half time. Robertson and Oliver came on for Mellis and Coyle, but now Dempsey has departed for Matthew Willock. All three changes now made. Hull haven't made any yet.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
61' - Magennis's header was looping towards the goal but it's cleared off the line. The Northern Irishman then goes down but the referee decides it's soft and there's another break in play as Dempsey is down again. He may have to go off for the home side.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
60' - Akinde gives away a free kick, but Gillingham are starting to threaten with the long ball down the middle. They're going more direct and their luck may change.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
59' - Hull break very quickly and counter attack well. Robbie McKenzie the former Tiger clears the ball before Mallik Wilks can get a shot away.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
58' - Slice! Magennis clears the ball from the free kick for a corner, then Ingram punches the ball away.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
57' - Back underway - Emmanuel is penalised and Gillingham have a free kick near the corner flag on the far side.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
Little break in play on 55 minutes.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
52' - Fleming almost finds Lewis-Potter with a long ball but Bonham comes out and grabs it. Gillingham then almost in but Ingram gets it.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
51' - Magennis almost in then, but the home side manage to clear.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
50' - Corner comes to nothing as Hull get it away. Fleming takes the throw before Hull lose it and Stuart O'Keefe shoots, but it drifts wide.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
49' - Fleming with the throw here. Gillingham win it back, and then Fleming gets back across to block for a Gillingham corner.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
48' - Hull with another shot - this time Wilks blasts towards goal but it's way over!
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
47' - The ball bobbled about a bit there but Hull win a corner. It'll be Honeyman to take.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
46' - Docherty tries to force his way through, but Gillingham clear - only to the hands of Ingram. Honeyman then wins a free kick about 30 yards outside the area at the far side.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
45' - Hull start on the front foot with Wilks trying the cross, but it goes way over and out to the far side.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
Hull get the second half underway...
Keane Lewis-Potter's goal gave Hull the lead...
KLP GOAL vs Gillingham! @LewisPotter_K #hcafc pic.twitter.com/VZECeHrj2M — Hull City Goals (@HullGoals) September 12, 2020
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
HALF TIME!
It's 0-1 to Hull City at the break, with Keane Lewis-Potter getting the goal after three minutes. The away side started strongly and they could have potentially added to their lead. Gillingham have battled hard, but Hull have soaked up the pressure well so far.
Stay tuned with me - Luke Flanagan - for second half updates!
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
45' - Wilks and Docherty combine for the latter to get the shot away, but Bonham is equal to it.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
45' - One minute of added time here. Hull have a throw deep in the Gillingham half.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
44' - Gillingham trying to push as the half time whistle approaches.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
42' - Gillingham throw on the near side. Burke eventually gets it forward and Hull will look to clear the ball.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
41' - Fleming wins a couple of throws in quick succession.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
39' - Gillingham look vulnerable when Medley has the ball at the back. Hull will look to get the ball forward I'm sure to try target him.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
38' - Should be 2-0. Docherty forces the error from Medley, and Wilks tries to backheel the ball to Honeyman but he can't get hold of it. Let off for Gillingham.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
37' - Magennis' flick on almost finds Lewis Potter but Bonham is out to get it.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
36' - Around ten minutes of the half left. Mellis has a shot for Gillingham, but it doesn't trouble Ingram. 0-1 to the Tigers still.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
35' - De Wijs's head loops over the bar after the corner. Set pieces haven't been great since they took the lead.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
34' - Hard graft from Lewis-Potter wins Hull the corner. Honeyman with it...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
33' - Another throw for the home side. Cross comes in but it goes out at the far side for a goal kick.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
31' - Referee seems to like his whistle. After an end to end start, the constant burst of the whistle is breaking the game up somewhat.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
29' - Mallik Wilks wins the free kick and slows things down for the away side.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
29' - Gillingham throw on the halfway line. They have a long throw on them that may test the Tigers as the game goes on.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
28' - MacKenzie's free kick goes straight to Ingram, and his distribution can't find Magennis.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
27' - Free kick to Gillingham. Akinde potentially went down quite easily but a free kick nevertheless.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
26' - Gillingham clear the Hull free kick, but the wind catches it and it goes all the way out for a Hull goal kick.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
25' - Smallwood does really, really well from a Hull point of view after Fleming and Lewis-Potter can't cross the corner.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
25' - That will be a corner for Hull. Fleming took it and it came of a Gillingham player for another chance to the away side to add to their lead...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
23' - Burke hoofs the ball up and Medley displays a poor touch to give Hull a soft throw.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
22' - Very soft and lucky free kick for Gillingham for a challenge by Docherty - not a lot in it there, and Hull would have been in if they'd played on!
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
21' - Ingram gives it to Burke, as Hull try to play through the thirds...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
21' - Honeyman's delivery was poor there and the ball goes out for a goal kick.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
20' - Lewis Potter wins a free kick and Steve Evans is apoplectic on the sidelines. Not really sure why, but he has history against Hull...
CLOSE!
Honeyman almost scores after Lewis-Potter's header back from an excellent cross from Emmanuel. Hull not having much of the ball, but are having much better chances.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
17 ' - Honeyman's cross was dangerous there, but the ball eventually goes out for a Gillingham goal kick. Yet another dead ball situation for the home side. Jordan Graham and Dempsey over it...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
16' - Gillingham free kick. Dangerous position... straight at Ingram by Dempsey. Ingram then fires the ball straight out to Lewis-Potter and he wins the Hull throw near the corner.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
15' - Magennis was almost in there, but the centre back recovered well for Gillingham. He tries to claim a pass back, but it didn't seem to be. He should have done better there.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
14' - Misplaced pass by Honeyman gives the home side a throw.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
14' - Gillingham with most of the ball so far. The home side are passing it about well but the Tigers are currently soaking up the pressure.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
12' - Gillingham will look to push for an equaliser here. Hull under a bit of pressure at the moment.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
11' - Hull clear the corner - not convincingly admittedly - but it was hoofed away to the half way line to clear the danger.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
10 ' - Medley nearly caught out by Lewis-Potter, but Gills keep the ball in the end and win a corner up the other end.
CLOSE!!!!!
9' - Josh Magennis tries the volley first time from the edge of the area, but it flashes wide. Decent effort.
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
9' - O'Keefe is just spoken to by the referee. Hull bench not happy!
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
8' - O'Keefe with a dodgy challenge there on Wilks... studs showing a little, no real intent but he could be in trouble...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
6' - Frantic start to the game. Lewis-Potter scored after three minutes, and then Akinde should have equallised for Gillingham. The Tigers goalkeeper stood strong and kept the Tigers in front. Gillingham with a bit of the ball now...
Gillingham 0-1 Hull City
5' - Hull win the throw courtesy of Malik Wilks. They will look to settle it down a little...
Almost level!
4' - Akinde was one on one with Ingram there and had the chance to level, but Ingram stood strong and made the save. Good game so far!
The Tigers take the lead!
3' - Well, well well. I did say earlier... remember the name. Keane Lewis-Potter! Good build up play by the Tigers saw George Honeyman shoot, and Lewis-Potter poked home from close range. 1-0!
GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!
HULL SCORE!!!!!!
Gillingham 0-0 Hull City
2' - Hull with an early bit of pressure...
Gillingham 0-0 Hull City
2' - Ingram gets the cross under control easily. He punts it up and Magennis holds it up...
Gillingham 0-0 Hull City
1' - Hull have a throw out on the far side. Home side kicking from right to left.
Gillingham 0-0 Hull City
Here we go!
Kick off!
Gillingham get us underway...
Less than five minutes...
Not long now until the season kicks off!
Ten minutes to kick off!
Not long now until the teams will take to the pitch...
Big game for this young man...
Keane Lewis-Potter. Remember the name, as they say...
🔥 Earned his start. @LewisPotter_K #hcafc | #theTigers pic.twitter.com/VTQWZsv1Sv
— Hull City (@HullCity) September 12, 2020
Less than half an hour to kick off!
Stay with us for regular updates from the game that kicks off in less than 30 minutes!
Hull City Line Up recap...
(4-3-3): Ingram; Emmanuel, De Vijs, Fleming; Smallwood, Docherty, Honeyman; Lewis-Potter, Wilks, Magennis.
Substitutes: Cartwright, Batty, Scott, Samuelsen, A Jones, C Jones, McLoughlin.
Gillingham Starting line up recap...
(4-3-3): Bonham; McKenzie, Maghoma, Medley, Ogilvie; O'Keefe, Mellis, Dempsey; Graham, Coyle, Akinde.
Substitutes: Robertson, Tucker, Willock, Walsh, MacDonald, Oliver, Woods.
McCann on changing the mindset
Grant McCann cut a frustrated figure at the end of last season, and many called for the Northern Irishman's head. Speaking to the media this week though, McCann was quietly confident ahead of the Gillingham game.
“I feel as if we are recruiting very well in terms of players who know this level and know what it takes to win. We want to have that culture. It is very difficult sometimes to break that culture we had at the back end of last season.
“But to kick it off last week with a win, albeit on penalties, was a good start for us. Now it is the first game in the league. It is a difficult game.”
Evans aware of potential Hull threat
Steve Evans spoke to the media in his pre-match press conference and said: “We know the quality Grant McCann is bringing on his team coach.
“The relegated teams have an advantage because they were playing football up until July. We have to find a way to overcome that advantage.
“I am pleased that this Saturday afternoon I won’t be in the garden. It is not about being in the supermarket. My only disappointment is that our supporters can’t be with us.”
Hull City's mixed start
Hull City weathered the storm rather last week at Sunderland. The Black Cats could - and perhaps should - have been several goals up at half time but for poor finishing. They went through 5-4 on penalties after the game finished 0-0 at the Stadium of Light.
Mid week saw a much changed squad lose in the last minute 2-1 at home to Leicester City's development squad. George Hirst scored a penalty in controversial circumstances to deny Hull youngster's second half comeback. Keane Lewis Potter scored for the Tigers and has been rewarded with a start today by Grant McCann.
Gillingham: First impressions
It's been two wins out of two for Steve Evans' side so far this season.
They beat Southend United in the Carabao Cup last Saturday 1-0 at Priestfield, with Connor Ogilvie scoring the decisive goal.
They were also victorious in the week in the EFL Trophy. Vadaine Oliver and Trae Coyle got the goals for the Gills.
Hull City team news!
🐯 Your Hull City side to face Gillingham...
🔶 KLP retains his starting spot.
⬛️ Magennis starts after returning from international duty.#hcafc | #theTigers pic.twitter.com/YUVJWXvESI — Hull City (@HullCity) September 12, 2020
Gillingham team news!
BREAKING | Here is your #Gills team for today’s @SkyBetLeagueOne opener against Hull City at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium. pic.twitter.com/GavLkYwJ6j — Gillingham FC (@TheGillsFC) September 12, 2020
Hello and welcome!
Welcome to VAVEL UK's LIVE coverage of the 2020/21 season opener for League One between Gillingham and Hull City.
We have the Gillingham team news coming in a second...
Make sure you follow VAVEL for game updates this afternoon!
Do not miss a detail of the match with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL. Follow along with me - Luke Flanagan - for the details, commentaries, analysis and lineups for Gillingham vs Hull City from around 2pm.
McCann aiming for Promotion this season
Hull boss Grant McCann was talking of promotion when talking to Hull’s club website earlier in the week.
He said: “The aim is to try and bounce back. The aim is to try and get promoted. The aim is to try and get back in the Championship.
“I feel as if we are recruiting very well in terms of players who know this level and know what it takes to win. We want to have that culture. It is very difficult sometimes to break that culture we had at the back end of last season.
“But to kick it off last week with a win, albeit on penalties, was a good start for us. Now it is the first game in the league. It is a difficult game.”
Evans complimentary on Hull
Gillingham manager Steve Evans was highly complimentary of his side’s opponents when speaking to the club website on Friday, and excited for the season.
He said: “We know the quality Grant McCann is bringing on his team coach.
“The relegated teams have an advantage because they were playing football up until July. We have to find a way to overcome that advantage.
“I am pleased that this Saturday afternoon I won’t be in the garden. It is not about being in the supermarket. My only disappointment is that our supporters can’t be with us.”
How to watch Gillingham vs Hull City Live TV and Stream
Fans of both teams can access the game through the club's respective iFollow streaming services, priced at £10.
To follow the game with text updates, VAVEL is your best bet!
Hull City: Predicted Line-up
(4-3-3) Ingram - Emmanuel, Burke, de Wijs, Fleming - Smallwood, Honeyman, Docherty - Wilks, Scott, Magennis.
Gillingham: Predicted Line-up
(Possible 4-3-3): Bonham - McKenzie, Tucker, Medley, Ogilvie - O’Keefe, Robertson, Dempsey - Graham, Oliver, Coyle.
Hull City: Team News
Leo da Silva Lopes won’t be available for after he left to join Belgian side Cercle Brugge. No other players expected to leave this window according to McCann.
Expected back for the team are James Scott and Josh Magennis after international duty.
There could be places on the bench for the likes of Billy Chadwick and Callum Jones after impressing in midweek against Leicester, but former Gills fan favourite Tom Eaves picked up an injury last week at Sunderland and will miss the game. His return date right now is unclear.
Again, Lewis Browing's preview can be seen here.
Gillingham: Team News
New Gillingham signing Scott Robertson could make his debut after joining the club on loan from Celtic on Thursday. Fullback Ryan Jackson will miss the game as he serves a one game suspension for two yellow cards against Southend United last week.
Winger Jordan Graham is fit again after missing the Southend game through injury. Zech Medley has also recovered from cramp.
Lewis Browning's preview for the game has more information and can be found here.
McCann wants to bounce back at first opportunity
It was a torrid end to the season last year for Grant McCann, with Hull City picking up just FOUR points from their remaining nine games to finish bottom for the first time since 1995/96.
McCann has to win back the trust of the fans, and wants to hit the ground running - aiming to bounce back straight away.
McCann told the media: “The aim is to try and bounce back. The aim is to try and get promoted. The aim is to try and get back in the Championship".
Evans looking for opening day 'Giant Killing'
Gillingham boss Steve Evans may have already done Hull City's team talk for them. He spoke in his press conference about Hull City being too big a club for the division, telling the media that Hull are "...too big a club to be in League One, it’s another giant.”
Evans will be looking to push on in his second season at the club after finishing mid-table in League One last time out.
Opening League game of the season!
After two games in cup competitions, Steve Evans and Grant McCann's respective sides now switch their focus to the league. Both will be desperate to get off to a good start at Priestfield this afternoon.
Kick-off time
Gillingham vs Hull City will be played at the Priestfield Stadium, in Gillingham, United Kingdom. The kick-off is scheduled at 15:00 BST.