All the action came during the first half at the Peninsula Stadium, as Elliott Nevitt and Remeao Hutton got on the scoresheet in Gillingham’s 2-2 draw with Salford City on Saturday afternoon.
Nevitt gave Gillingham the lead after 90 seconds. Max Clark played a perfectly weighted through ball down the left for Nevitt, who got in behind. He carried the ball into the penalty area before shooting, with his attempt taking a deflection on its way into the back of the net.
The hosts turned the game on its head and were soon in front. Cole Stockton met Ben Woodburn’s cross to prod home from six yards on eight minutes. Kell Nmai scored Salford’s second after cutting inside from the left before unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the bottom right corner.
On 25 minutes, Hutton scored his first Gillingham goal. He capitalised on a misplaced pass by Luke Garbutt, taking the ball into the penalty area before shifting it onto his left foot and shooting. The right-back struck it perfectly, bending his shot into the far top corner of the net, leaving Matty Young with no chance.
The second half was a lot quieter, with chances few and far between, as the Gills came away with a well-deserved point.
Gareth Ainsworth made three changes to the starting XI that drew with Colchester United in midweek. Shad Ogie and Oli Hawkins returned to the line-up in place of Andy Smith, who missed out due to injury, and Joe Gbode, who dropped to the bench.
Armani Little came back into the side following his two-game suspension, with Jonny Williams being named among the substitutes.
Nevitt gave Gillingham the lead after 90 seconds. Max Clark did superbly to dispossess Haji Mnoga just inside the Gills half before playing a perfectly weighted through ball for Nevitt to latch onto. The forward cut inside from the left into the penalty area and onto his right foot before shooting, with his effort taking a deflection off a Salford defender before going past Matty Young and into the back of the net.
In the eighth minute, Salford were level through Cole Stockton. Ben Woodburn’s cross towards the middle of the box was met by the striker, who got across his marker before prodding it beyond Glenn Morris.
Seven minutes later, the hosts were in front. Kelly Nmai picked up the ball out on the left 25 yards from the goal before dribbling into a central position and shooting. Nmai had plenty of power on his attempt, and he fired it into the bottom right corner out of Morris’ reach.
Morris nearly brought Gillingham back onto level terms in spectacular fashion. The goalkeeper sent a free-kick from midway inside the Gills half forward, with the wind seemingly carrying it. Young was off his line in the Salford goal and had to backpedal as the ball bounced on the penalty spot before going just over the crossbar.
Remeao Hutton scored his first goal for the Football Club on 25 minutes. He intercepted Garbutt’s pass forward before carrying the ball into the penalty area. Hutton cut onto his left foot and bent his shot into the far top corner of the goal.
The hosts nearly restored their lead through Ossama Ashley. Liam Shephard sent the ball into the box, which Ashley met, heading goalward. His looping effort landed on the top of the crossbar, with Morris having it covered.
Morris did brilliantly to deny Stockton in the 39th minute. Curtis Tilt carried the ball from the halfway line to the edge of the Gills penalty area before lofting a pass towards Stockton inside the box, who was in space. The Salford forward brought it under control before shooting towards the near post. However, Morris was equal to it, pushing it around the post for a corner, which came to nothing.
HALF-TIME: Salford City 2-2 Gillingham
Tyrese Fornah had the first chance of the second half. A cross from the left was headed away by Hutton, but only as far as Fornah. The Salford midfielder brought it under control before side-footing a shot towards the top right corner. Fortunately, he could not keep it down and it cleared the crossbar.
Gills defended well as the hosts applied some pressure. The ball ricocheted into the feet of Stockton, who did well to outmuscle his marker before laying it off to Nmai, who shot. However, Gills were quick to react, as two players quickly closed it down to block the effort before Morris kept the ball in play and gathered it.
In the 64th minute, the visitors made their first change, as Jonny Williams replaced Clarke.
The hosts had a big penalty appeal moments later. Hakeeb Adelakun threaded a great pass through to Nmai inside the box, who looked to cut inside. However, he ran into Masterson before going to the floor. There were mass appeals from the home players and support, but the referee remained unmoved, waving for the game to continue.
Gbode entered the game on 71 minutes, as he replaced Hawkins.
In the 88th minute, Gbode had a good chance to potentially win the game. Morris sent a free-kick into the Salford half, which was flicked on by Sam Gale. It found Gbode, who had his back to the goal. The forward did well to bring it under control before striking on the turn. He made great contact with the ball, but it flew just over the crossbar.
Tom Edwards tried his luck from distance as the ball sat nicely for him. He struck it first time, with his attempt flying over the goal.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Gillingham made their final change, as Asher Agbinone replaced Nevitt.
FULL-TIME: Salford City 2-2 Gillingham
Salford City: Young, Mnoga, Shephard (Edwards 84’), Tilt, Garbutt, Ashley, Fornah, N’Mai, Woodburn (Lund 82’), Adelakun, Stockton
Unused Substitutes: Jones, Longelo, Warrington, Austerfield, Wright
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Gale, Masterson, Ogie, Clark, McKenzie, Little, Clarke (J. Williams 64’), Hawkins (Gbode 71’), Nevitt (Agbinone 90+2’)
Unused Substitutes: Holtam, Morgan, E. Williams, Rowe
Referee: Will Finnie
Attendance: 2914 (403 Gillingham supporters)
