Gills legends and celebrities come together to raise money for Mind and Take Heart Mercy Mission.
Gillingham legends rolled back the years to seal a comfortable 8-3 win over a celebrity XI at Priestfield on Saturday in the club’s charity fixture.
A host of players returned to Kent, including Mama Sidibe, Guy Butters, Richard Carpenter and Simon Osborn. Former England defender Des Walker was on the opposition teamsheet with Barry Hayles, Sean Davis and Christian Malcolm also in the team.
Gills took the lead early on when Kedwell had space from 18 yards to drill a shot towards goal, his effort was powerful and gave keeper Paul Manners absolutely no chance.
However the celebrities were level just a few minutes later when Ben Jones went to cross the ball from the right, he lost his footing slightly but in doing so the contact he made was enough to place the ball over the head of Katie Startup and into the far corner.
Kedwell got his second soon after, before Sidibe registered his first of the afternoon with a clinical finish of his own.
Kevin James, having come on as one of the Gills rolling subs, bagged a fourth but the deficit was reduced to two when Mark Burns got one back for the celebs before the interval.
H/T: 4-2
Kedwell sealed his hat-trick on 48 minutes but the opposition refused to go down without a fight with former Charlton striker Kevin Lisbie getting through on goal and finishing well. However Gills turned up the wick and within moments were 6-3 ahead when Patrick Agyemang added his name to the scoresheet.
Sidibe, having gone off, returned to the field of play and got his second with Birchall adding an eighth not long afterwards.
Gills had chances to extend their lead but settled for eight in a fantastic afternoon at Priestfield.
F/T: 8-3
Gills (starting XI): Katie Startup, Nick Lovell, Guy Butters, Mark Saunders, Danny Jackman, Nicky Southall, Richard Carpenter, Jimmy Corbett, Adam Birchall, Danny Kedwell, Mamady Sidibe.
Celebrities (starting XI): Paul Manners, Darren Young, Neil Yadalohi, Ben Jones, George Gilbey, Mark Burns, Jimmy Deville, Christian Malcolm, Jay Conner, Herbie Tyler, Barry Hayles.
Attendance: 423
Referee: Mr C Spalding