Ashley Nadesan (2), Jayden Clarke and Ronald Sithole all find the target as Gills `B` team win at Priestfield.
The Gills `B` team came from behind to defeat Dartford 4-1 in a friendly fixture at Priestfield on Tuesday night.
Brandon Barzey scored for the hosts inside the opening couple of minutes, gambling at the far post to get on the end of a low cross. The Darts gained confidence and continued to attack, but Gills pulled level through Ashley Nadesan and the striker bagged his brace shortly after half-time.
Jayden Clarke and sub Ronald Sithole also got on the scoresheet with Gills commanding proceedings during the second period.
The Gills coaching staff named a strong XI for the game with Alex Giles, Sam Gale, Dom Jefferies, Lewis Walker and Nadesan all starting. Josh Chambers was named in the centre of midfield with Taite Holtam in goal.
It was a fast start for the visitors, with only two minutes on the clock Brandon Barzey capitalised for Dartford as Holtam slid in to collect a loose ball in the Gillingham area. The ball ran loose before being played across goal for Barzey to tap home the opener.
After going behind so early on, Gillingham looked to settle and take control of possession. After stringing some passes together and finding some rhythm, a pin-point pass over the top found Ashley Nadesan who had made an excellent run in behind the Dartford back line. The Linesman raised his flag however, judging the forward to have been marginally offside.
The forward would quickly get another chance, with 20 minutes gone. Lewis Walker did well to spot Nadesan making another threating run. His pass over the top was slightly heavy and fell to Tom Wray who had come out to claim. Excellent pressing from Nadesan however allowed him to block the clearance and roll the ball in from 12 yards.
The Gillingham pressure continued to build once the hosts had drawn level.
Lewis Walker, causing unending problems for the Dartford defence, looped a pass over the top which fell straight to Jayden Clarke who unleashed a powerful low strike. His shot had beaten Tom Wray but came cannoning straight back off the post before being cleared.
Gillingham continued to create chances as the first half ticked on. Josh Chambers, Ashley Nadesan and Lewis Walker all having shots on target and forcing some last-ditch tackles from the Dartford centre halves.
Dartford enjoyed a good spell of possession as the first half drew to a close and could have re-taken the lead on 43 minutes.
Jayden Boulton picked the ball up in the attacking third and driving at goal, his cross across the box went begging however as nobody was there to finish.
The sides went into the break with one a piece.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham `B` 1-1 Dartford
The second half began with a change for the Gills, Ronald Sithole coming on for Dom Jefferies. The first team midfielder having gained 45 minutes as he builds towards his return following injury.
Dartford also made a round of changes for the second period. Harvey Bradbury, Lewis Manor, Paul Rooney, Luke Coulson and Baris Altintop were the players that came on at the restart. They replaced a pair of trialists, Tyrell Miller-Rodney, Brandon Barzey and Tommy Block.
Gillingham went in front with 52 minutes played. Josh Chambers putting a great pass through to Nadesan, who was free to compose himself as Tom Wray came rushing out to try and narrow the gap. Ike Orji did well to distract the Dartford defence before Nadesan’s strike beat the oncoming keeper, putting the Gills 2-1 up.
Almost immediately after taking the lead, Walker had another shot on goal blocked. The hosts recycled it well before second half substitute, Ronald Sithole, received it in a great position. His excellent finish into the bottom corner putting Gillingham 3-1 in front.
The hosts wasted no time in grabbing their fourth of the evening.
Making sure to make the most of dominating the game from the restart, Jayden Clarke on the edge of the area produced a powerful strike following a low cross which was too much for the Dartford keeper.
A raft of changes followed with Lewis Walker, Jayden Clarke, Ashley Nadesan and Max Clark coming off to be replaced by Joe Gbode, Kieran Agbebi, Kai Garrett and Harry Webster.
The shackles seemed to come off for the visitors after conceding three in the opening period of the half. Some good passing play at the back and looking to keep things simple, Dartford would gain more of a foothold in the closing stages.
Winning a corner from a counter-attack, Lewis Manor rose highest to meet the ball into the box, but his headed attempt fell just wide of Taite Holtam’s goal in what was a golden opportunity for Dartford to pull one back on 76 minutes.
Another change for the Gills came on 83 minutes as Will de Wilde came on to replace Stan Skipper.
The Gills would have a late chance to grab a fifth in the last minute of the game. A short Josh Chambers corner found Joe Gbode who took on his man and unleashed an effort towards goal, forcing the opposition keeper into making a fine save and doing well to keep the ball out of his net.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham `B` Team 4-1 Dartford FC
Gillingham B Team: Holtham, Orji, Giles, Gale, Clark (Webster 61’), Jefferies (Sithole 46’), Skipper (Wilde 83’), Chambers, Clarke (Agbebi 61’), Nadesan (Garret 61’), Walker (Gbode 61’)
Unused Substitutes: Smith, Taiwo-Pratt
Dartford FC: Wray, Wynter, Block (Altintop 46’), Adebowale, Diarra, Boulton, Barzey (Coulson 46’), Miller-Rodney (Rooney 46’), Trialist (Bradbury 46’), Trialist (Manor 46’), Trialist
Unused Substitutes: Beeney