Joe Gbode came off the bench to score the winning goal, extending Gillingham’s unbeaten run to ten games as they beat AFC Wimbledon 1-0 at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Easter Monday.
The goal came in the 64th minute. Remeao Hutton played a brilliant pass into the penalty area, finding Bradley Dack, who had peeled away into space inside the box. He laid it off to Gbode, who made no mistake, rifling a curling shot into the top right corner of the net, leaving Owen Goodman with no chance.
Gareth Ainsworth made five changes to the side that drew 1-1 at Cheltenham Town on Good Friday. Goal scorer Jimmy-Jay Morgan dropped to the bench, as did Taite Holtam, Nelson Khumbeni, Jack Nolan and Elliott Nevitt. Glenn Morris returned in goal for the Gills, while Jonny Williams, Bradley Dack, Aaron Rowe and Oli Hawkins came into the starting XI.
Sam Gale nearly opened the scoring in the ninth minute. Dack curled a corner towards the middle of the penalty area, which found the young central defender, who got goal side of his marker. Gale’s header had plenty of power but was blocked by the unknowing head of an AFC Wimbledon defender.
In the 16th minute, Gillingham were forced into a first substitution. Hawkins, who had an earlier issue with his hand, was unable to continue and was replaced by Joe Gbode.
Joe Lewis had the visitors' first opportunity. They won a free-kick 25 yards from the goal to the left of the centre, which James Tilley curled into the box. Lewis managed to meet the ball, rising the highest. Fortunately, he could not keep his header down, as it went just over the crossbar.
Morris did well to deal with Riley Harbottle’s corner. The set piece was played on top of the goalkeeper, who had to react quickly. Morris adjusted himself and punched the ball behind for another corner, which came to nothing.
It took a last-ditch challenge from Shad Ogie to deny Aron Sasu. The visitors took advantage when they intercepted a Gillingham clearance, which saw them have space in behind the Gills defence. Sasu made his way into the area and seemed to have a free shot at goal until Ogie prodded the ball away at the final moment to end the threat.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 AFC Wimbledon
Gale had a good chance in the 50th minute. Max Clark sent a high ball towards the back post, which was headed back down by Conor Masterson. It dropped to Gale in a favourable position, but he could not strike his half-volley cleanly, allowing Goodman to comfortably gather the attempt.
Alistair Smith tried his luck from 25 yards when the ball came to him in space. Smith set himself before sending a low drive goalward, but it fizzed wide of the target.
In the 64th minute, Gbode fired Gillingham in front. Hutton had the ball 30 yards from the goal before playing a smart pass into the box, finding Dack, who had peeled away into the space. He brought the ball under control before laying it off to Gbode, who curled a thumping first-time strike into the top right corner, leaving Goodman with little chance.
Assisting the goal proved to be Dack’s final contribution, as he was replaced seconds later with Jayden Clarke entering the game.
Ryan Johnson should have done better when he rose the highest to meet Harbottle’s free-kick. However, he could not make proper contact, glancing a header wide of the target.
The hosts came close to adding a second when Omar Buigel nearly flicked Hutton’s long throw into the far bottom corner. Unfortunately, it bounced just wide of the target.
Gills made their final change on 81 minutes when Nevitt replaced Rowe.
AFC Wimbledon tried their best to find a late equaliser, throwing bodies forward during the closing stages. However, Gillingham stood firm and nullified their opponent’s threat, holding on for the three points.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 1-0 AFC Wimbledon
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Gale, Masterson, Ogie, Clark, McKenzie, J. Williams, Dack (Clarke 65’), Rowe (Nevitt 81’), Hawkins (Gbode 16’)
Unused Substitutes: Holtam, Khumbeni, Nolan, Morgan
AFC Wimbledon: Goodman, Harbottle, Lewis, Johnson, Neufville, Maycock (Hutchinson 83’), Smith, Tilley (Kelly 71’), Foyo (Buigel 57’), Stevens (Pigott 71’), Sasu
Unused Substitutes: Ward, Ball, Ogundere
Referee: Steve Copeland
Attendance: 7641 (1472 away fans)
