A young Gills XI put in a strong performance to defeat Hollands & Blair 4-3 at Star Meadow on Tuesday evening.
Harry Bridle, Stan Sargent and Jimmy Heasman were all on target, along with a Trialist, to give Mark Moss' team victory.
Harry Waldock captained the side with Carter Sullivan in goal and Logan Dobbs in defence. Jonah Walker was named at wing-back with Joe Orpwood operating in holding midfield.
The hosts took the lead through Dean Grant on seven minutes when the striker got himself in front of Dobbs and flicked the ball over the oncoming Sullivan and into the corner of the net.
However, their lead would last just a few minutes when Harry Bridle did brilliantly to beat the offside trap and latch onto a through pass from Waldock. The striker waited for the keeper to go to ground, got round him, and tapped into an empty net from close range.
Seven minutes later and Gills had turned the game around. Jonah Walker's corner-kick was guided back into the danger zone and one of the visiting trialists did well from close range to find the roof of the goal.
On 21 minutes Bridle had a great chance to bag his second of the night but he headed over following an excellent corner-kick delivery from Walker. Five minutes later and Grant had chance to add a second for Blair, however after flicking the ball over the head of Dobbs he sent his left footed effort wide of the target.
However, Grant did finally get his second of the game shortly after the half hour mark. A defensive mix up at the back allowed the striker opportunity to test Sullivan, and his effort found the opposite corner from just inside the box.
A hat-trick chance came and went shortly after when another left footed effort from a similar distance was dragged wide.
With half-time approaching Gills seized the chance to get their noses in front and did so through Sargent. Orpwood picked out an excellent pass which split the defence but the forward didn't have much to aim at from a tight angle, however he guided an effort beyond the oncoming goalkeeper and the ball nestled into the opposite corner to ensure Gills led at the interval.
H/T: Hollands & Blair 2-3 Gillingham XI
Gills made several changes at the break but they increased their advantage on 51 minutes when Heasman, on at the interval, got on the end of a pass from Trialist, and he placed an excellent left footed shot inside the near post.
He could have had a second shortly after, but he dragged a left footed shot wide of the goal. Logan Dobbs went even closer on 66 minutes but headed over Harry Waldock's corner from close range.
Carter Sullivan had to be alert just a minute later when Devonte West shot across the keeper from just inside the box. The effort had plenty of power on it but the Gills stopper did well to push the shot away from danger.
Blair had a couple of good opportunities to set up a dramatic finish but missed their best chances, and Gills could have put the game to bed on 78 minutes but Heasman headed Walker's corner just wide.
The hosts were awarded a penalty late on and Preston Kedwell netted from 12 yards out, however the full-time whistle sounded shortly after.
F/T: Hollands & Blair 3-4 Gillingham XI
Hollands and Blair starting XI: Reeves, Edwards, Oliver, Monger, Sains, Gilman, Barnes, Simpson, Grant, West, Wright
Gills: Sullivan (Hegarty 76), Kot (Trialist 46), Dobbs, Broadbent, Trialist (Cross 71), Walker (Luxton 46), Orpwood (Carruthers 81), Waldock (Clark 71), Dayal (Bezsant 46), Sargent (Trialist 46), Bridle (Heasman 46).
