Two wins from two as Gills step up preparations ahead of the new season.
Gillingham continued their pre-season campaign with a 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday afternoon.
Goals from Jordan Graham, Matty Willock and John Akinde in the first half ensured Steve Evans’ side made it two wins from two pre-season friendlies.
Gillingham won comfortably at Colchester on Saturday and they continued where they left off by taking the lead within a couple of minutes at Watford's training ground. John Akinde received the ball on halfway and drove at the Hornets backline before teeing up Jordan Graham, and the new signing fired low into the corner. 0-1.
As the rain started to lash down, the young Watford side drew level. A ball in behind the Gills defence saw one of the Watford strikers unmarked, and from a tight angle he fired in past Jack Bonham to level things up. 1-1.
Gills weren’t behind for long though and regained the lead just after the half hour mark. Akinde was again involved, this time winning the ball deep in the Watford half before driving into the area and cutting the ball back to the on-rushing Willock who made no mistake from ten yards. 1-2.
And the rampant Gills made it three before the interval when Akinde deservedly netted his first goal of the pre-season campaign. This time Graham returned the favour for the big man who struck low beyond the Watford stopper from the edge of the area. 1-3.
H/T: 1-3
Gillingham made a number of changes at the break with Stuart O’Keefe, Jacob Mellis, Trae Coyle, Henry Woods and Matt Baker all introduced as Steve Evans got more minutes in the tank for his new look squad.
The tempo of the game slowed down just a touch and Gills keeper Jack Bonham had to be alert to keep out an effort shortly after the break before Tucker cleared.
As the time ticked away, Gills introduced more youngsters. Joe Walsh, Ronnie Nelson, Harvey Lintott, Vinnie Medhurst, Toby Bancroft and George Baker-Moran all replaced the experienced first team professionals.
And young Baker-Moran very nearly added a fourth goal right at the death, but his long-range pile driver was kept out by the Watford keeper.
F/T: 1-3
Gills starting XI: Bonham, Jackson, Tucker, Medley, Ogilvie, Graham, Dempsey, Willock, Macdonald, Hanlan, Akinde.
Subs: Walsh, Coyle, Mellis, Baker, Woods, O’Keefe, Oliver, Bancroft, Nelson, Medhurst, Lintott, Baker-Moran.