Two first-half penalties prove enough for Newport to defeat Gills at ME7.
Omar Bogle scored two first-half penalties as Newport County beat Gillingham 2-0 at the Priestfield Stadium.
Gills interim Head Coach Keith Millen named an unchanged starting XI after the 1-0 win at Swindon in midweek. Tim Dieng returned to the matchday squad for the first time since suffering a knee injury at Grimsby.
Dom Jefferies forced Nick Townsend into a save in the seventh minute. The midfielder received the ball 25 yards from the goal with plenty of space and opted to shoot. Jefferies’ effort was a low-driven one towards the bottom left corner, but Townsend was equal to it as he palmed it away from the danger.
Macauley Bonne had a golden opportunity when the ball broke to him inside the penalty area. He shot first time, but Townsend reacted quickly to come off his line to close down the attempt, pulling off the save.
Jake Turner was called into action twice in quick succession to keep the scores level. Bryn Morris’ shot from just outside the box was too powerful for Turner to gather as he parried it away. Omar Bogle reacted quickest to get on the end of the rebound, but Turner was quickly off his line to bravely get in front of Bogle’s attempt to keep it out.
In the 19th minute, Newport were awarded a penalty. Cheye Alexander’s back pass towards Turner was cut out by Bogle. The Gills keeper tried to clear the ball but took out the Newport forward in the process.
From the resulting spot kick, Bogle gave the visitors the lead. The Exiles striker drilled his penalty into the bottom left corner, just out of the reach of Turner, who had guessed the right way.
Newport were awarded another penalty in the 25th minute when Matty Bondswell and Alexander collided inside the box. Bogle took the spot kick again, keeping his cool slotting his effort into the bottom right corner, sending Turner the wrong way.
Connor Mahoney came inches away from pulling a goal back for the Gills when he shot from 25 yards. His goalward effort beat Townsend but smashed off the crossbar before going out of play for a goal-kick.
Gillingham came close to scoring on the stroke of half-time through Jonny Williams. Mahoney curled a cross towards the back post, and Williams did well to get towards the ball unmarked. He angled his header towards the far corner but missed the target with Townsend rooted to his spot.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-2 Newport County
Williams had Gillingham’s first opportunity of the second-half as he did well to weave his way beyond a couple of Newport players inside the penalty area. The former Wales international shot from a tight angle and saw his effort nestle into the side netting.
Tom Nichols replaced Jayden Clarke in the 54th minute as Gillingham went to two up front.
Will Evans came close to scoring a sensational third for the visitors after quick thinking from Declan Drysdale. The former Gillingham loanee took a quick free-kick, which went over the top of the Gills defence, with Evans doing well to time his run in behind. He struck a first-time volley towards the far corner that went just over the bar.
Gillingham had a penalty appeal in the 65th minute. Nichols did well to get in behind the Newport defence and took it wide before picking out Williams’ run into the penalty area. It looked as if he would have a clear shot at goal before a Newport defender put in a sliding challenge at the final moment.
There were appeals from the Gillingham players and the Rainham End, but the referee felt the ball was won in the challenge.
Mahoney had a great opportunity to test Townsend when the ball fell to him favourably inside the penalty area. Unfortunately, he could not keep his shot down as it cleared the crossbar.
In the 87th minute, Ethan Coleman prevented Bogle from scoring his hat-trick. The ball fell to the striker inside the Gillingham penalty area, and he looked destined to score his third. However, Coleman came diving in to block the shot, sending it out for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Bogle had another great chance. The ball was floated into the penalty area, and the Newport striker rose highest, floating his header wide of the target.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 0-2 Newport County
Gillingham: Turner, Alexander (S. Williams 79’), Masterson, Ogie, Malone, Coleman, Jefferies, J. Williams (Lapslie 66’), Clarke (Nichols 54’), Mahoney, Bonne
Unused Substitutes: Morris, Ehmer, Clark, Dieng
Newport County: Townsend, Drysdale (Payne 68’), Delaney, Baker, McLoughlin, Bondswell, Morris, Bennett, Wildig (Waite 85’), Bogle, Evans (Rai 63’)
Unused Substitutes: Maxted, Thomas, Wood
Referee: Tom Reeves
Attendance: 5869 (179 away fans)