Gills dig deep to earn three hard-fought points at Gander Green Lane.
Ashley Nadesan was the goal-scoring hero again as Gillingham earned a hard-fought three points in their 1-0 win at Sutton United.
The only goal of the game came in the tenth minute after Tom Nichols did well to dispossess a Sutton defender. He took the ball down the right before picking out Nadesan in the middle of the penalty area. The striker remained composed as he placed the ball beyond Jack Rose.
The hosts put the Gillingham penalty area under constant pressure throughout the game, but the Gills dug in deep to secure a third successive win and a clean sheet to open the new season.
Neil Harris made three changes to the team that beat Accrington at the weekend, as Cheye Alexander, Ethan Coleman and George Lapslie returned to the starting XI. Robbie McKenzie and Jonny Williams dropped to the bench, while Shaun Williams missed out.
Ashley Nadesan gave Gillingham the lead with the first chance of the game in the tenth minute. Having had the better of the possession in the opening stages, Tom Nichols stole possession down the right-hand side and drove forward into the space in front of him. He spotted Nadesan inside the penalty area and played an excellent low pass to the striker in the box. Nadesan remained composed and placed the ball past Jack Rose from close range.
Scott Malone made a last-ditch goal-line clearance to keep Gillingham in front after 21 minutes. A Sutton player hooked the ball towards the goal, and it looped over the head of the oncoming Jake Turner. It appeared that the ball would drop into the back of the net, but Malone was on hand to provide the pivotal clearance.
Sutton continued to dominate the possession and put pressure on the Gillingham penalty area, but it was the visitors that came close in the 35th minute. A good dummy from Nichols allowed Nadesan to bring down Turner’s long ball forward. The visitors broke into the box after Nichols and Dom Jefferies linked up. Nichols’ attempted pass was blocked, and it came back to Lapslie, who struck a fierce shot towards the far corner from a tight angle. It would have caused Rose issues, but it fizzed past the post.
It took some very brave Gillingham defending to keep them in the lead as the hosts continued to cause problems. Tim Dieng initially dived in front of Craig Eastmond’s powerful attempt. The ball then came back to the Sutton captain, who directed the ball into the box. Lee Angol tried to flick the ball goalward, but it ricocheted around the penalty area before falling to Scott Kashket. The former Gillingham forward saw an attempt blocked before latching onto the second ball. However, he was denied by the oncoming Turner, who bravely put his body on the line to get down and take the ball from the feet of Kashket.
HALF-TIME: Sutton United 0-1 Gillingham
Kashket had the ball in the back of the net in the 57th minute, but it was ruled out for offside. A long throw into the penalty area was headed on by Angol for Kashket to latch onto. He got there to prod it beyond Turner but had come from an offside position.
Turner was tested in the 71st minute by Kashket. Rob Milsom got down the left and delivered a cross towards the penalty spot. It found Kashket, who hooked a volley goalward. Fortunately, it proved a comfortable save for Turner, as he gathered the attempt without any issues.
In the 75th minute, Gillingham needed clear contact from a corner to properly test Rose. Alexander’s delivery from the right fell to Coleman near the six-yard box, who made first contact with the ball. Unfortunately, it bounced off his chest before Sutton cleared to safety.
Gillingham made a trio of changes in the 80th minute when Jonny Williams, Macauley Bonne and Jayden Clarke replaced Lapslie, Nichols and Nadesan respectively.
In the 86th minute, Conor Masterson made his first competitive appearance since signing permanently for the club, replacing Jefferies. That saw the Gills go to a five-at-the-back formation, with Bonne leading the line and a four in midfield.
Sutton continued to bombard the Gillingham penalty area throughout the closing moments, but the visitors dug in deep to keep the hosts at bay.
FULL-TIME: Sutton United 0-1 Gillingham
Sutton United: Rose, Kizzi, Sowunmi, Goodliffe, Milsom, Clay (N’Guessan 85’), Beautyman (Coley 65’), Eastmond, Patrick, Angol (John 85’), Kashket (Kasimu 74’)
Unused Substitutes: House, Fadahunsi, Mellor
Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Ehmer, Ogie, Malone, Dieng, Coleman, Lapslie (Clarke 80’), Jefferies (Masterson 86’), Nadesan (Bonne 80’), Nichols (J. Williams 80’)
Unused Substitutes: Morris, Clark, McKenzie
Referee: Scott Tallis
Attendance: 3714 (1290 Gillingham supporters)