Mark Patterson's development side put in top draw performance to defeat Leyton Orient at Beechings
Gillingham put on a terrific display to defeat Leyton Orient 6-1 in their Final Third Development league match at Beechings Cross on Tuesday afternoon.Luke Norris (2), Brennan Dickenson, Devante McKain, Charlie Webster and Mahlon Romeo were all on the scoresheet as Mark Patterson's side secured a comfortable victory.
Glenn Morris started in goal with Leon Legge, Antonio German and Danny Galbraith also starting.
The hosts stormed out of the blocks and scored three times in the opening 20 minutes.
Firstly a cross from German was delivered towards the back post, Dickenson watched it all the way before producing an excellent volley which saw the ball nestle into the corner.
Soon after and Luke Norris stepped up to take a free kick 25 yards from goal. His technique was superb and the goalkeeper hardly moved as the shot cleared the wall and struck the net.
And the game was all but over on 19 minutes. A corner from Dickenson was guided towards the penalty spot and McKain got up highest to guide a header home.
The rest of the half saw few chances created, with Gills more than happy to professionally retain possession and maintain the advantage until the break.
H/T: 3-0
Orient got themselves back into the game on 52 minutes. A free kick 20 yards out was guided towards the top corner, and despite the best efforts of Morris to palm it away, the accuracy was too good and the shot made its way into the top corner.
However this would be a brief comeback as Gills grabbed their fourth just two minutes later. Galbraith received the ball on the left and delivered a great ball towards Norris inside the area who in predatory fashion beat his defender to the ball and made sufficient contact to score.
And on 56 minutes it was 5-1. Romeo got himself forward and delivered a low ball from the right wing, Norris attempted to get his hat-trick but his shot was well blocked, but Webster was lurking and took full advantage by delicately placing the ball past the despairing goalkeeper.
Webster and Dickenson both went close to getting a sixth, but it was Romeo who did so on 81 minutes.
From an Orient set piece German gained possession and sprinted away, Romeo joined him quickly and the striker played a brilliant pass to the full back who produced a top draw finish across the keeper to find the opposite corner.
F/T: 6-1
Gills: G Morris (Hadler 80), Romeo, Legge, McKain, Bent, German, Webster, Blanchard (Freiter 60), Galbraith, Norris, Dickenson.
Unused subs: M Dickenson, Cundle.