Luton started very much the brighter in the opening few minutes, and this was obvious when the Hatters took the lead as early as 3 minutes into the game. Sam Parkin headed in past the diving Julian after a cross on the left by Chris Martin.

Gillingham failed to make an instant response, and found chances were few and far between as they failed to cope with Luton’s strong, phyiscal style of play.

Simeon Jackson had a chance on 10 minutes, when a wayward header went his way, but the striker squandered the opportunity as he couldn’t control the ball. If only he did, then the Gills most certainly would’ve been level.

Jackson then had another chance on 22 minutes when he latched onto a long range pass, but the Canadian forward lost his balance and hit his shot way over the crossbar.

There was yet another chance for Simeon Jackson on 40 minutes, when Tyrone Berry drove the ball into the box before picking out Jackson at the near post, whose shot on target was cleared off the line.

Minutes after the second half began Gillingham had another effort cleared off the line, this time it was Mark McCammon whose headed effort was blocked at the far post.

Gillingham then had their best chances of the game 20 minutes from the end in a chaotic goalmouth scramble. It would’ve seemed that Stimson’s tactics of putting Gary Mulligan on and playing a 4-3-3 formation were about to instantly pay off, with Simeon Jackson, Tyrone Berry and Andrew Crofts all having shots that looked to be going in. But Luton blocked all their efforts and survived the Gillingham onslaught to preserve their lead.

There was nothing else the Gills could really throw at Luton, and despite their best efforts, Gillingham could not avoid defeat against the Hatters, and have therefore begun their season very disappointingly.

The Gills made two changes from the starting XI against Bournemouth, with Alan Julian replacing Simon Royce in goal and Nicky Southall coming back into the side to replace loanee Curtis Weston.

Gillingham started the match brightest and this was made clear right from the off when Barry Fuller had Gills first chance after just 30 seconds. But unfortunately the full-back blazed his shot over the crossbar.

Mark McCammon then had a golden opportunity to give the Gills an early lead when on 4 minutes he broke through the Colchester defence and was one-on-one with the keeper, but unfortunately hit his shot straight at the advancing Dean Gerkan.

The Gills started the brightest and looked the stronger team, but it was Colchester who broke the deadlock very much against the run of play, when on 10 minutes midfielder Matt Heath headed home for The U’s after a goalmouth scramble, in which the Gills blocked several efforts in an attempt to make up for being unable to clear at the far post, but ultimately failed and handed Colchester the lead.

Despite the early setback, the Gills responded well and had a good chance on 13 minutes, when Simeon Jackson broke through the defence and had a shot from the edge of the box, forcing U’s keeper Dean Gerkan to make a full-stretch save in order to maintain Colchester’s lead.

The Gills then had two more chances with free-kicks on 26 minutes and 30 minutes. Firstly, Nicky Southall hit a shot just wide of the far post following a handball on the edge of the area. Then secondly, after a free-kick routine on the edge of the box, Adam Miller hit a low effort just wide of the far post.

Gillingham then had another chance just before the interval, when Nicky Southall hit a volley just wide of the near post after being teed up by Simeon Jackson.

After dominating large parts of the first half, the Gills eased off in the second and let Colchester start the brighter, with the U’s creating several half-chances. And they could’ve taken the lead on 55 minutes when Anthony Wordsworth had a header on goal, but his effort went narrowly over the crossbar.

After seeing Colchester dominate in the second period, manager Mark Stimson decided to spice things up a bit by making a triple substitution on the hour mark, with Mark McCammon making way for Gary Mulligan, Dennis Oli coming for Adam Miller, and Tyrone Berry replacing Nicky Southall.

Gillingham then had their first real chance of the second half on 65 minutes, when Colchester’s Matt Heath conceded a free-kick on the edge of the box after tagging onto Simeon Jackson’s shirt. John Nutter stepped up to take the free-kick, bu the defender blazed his shot way over the crossbar.

Dennis Oli then had another chance for the Gills on 69 minutes, but the striker hit his low effort straight at Colchester keeper Dean Gerkan.

Colchester then had a golden opportunity to put the game to bed when on 74 minutes Kemal Izzet was sent through on goal, but debutant Alan Julian was not to concede a second as he read where the ball was going and pulled off a fantastic save to push the ball to safety and keep Gillingham in the game.

However, it was not to be for the Gills as they created little more in the final minutes, with Simeon Jackson’s shot just wide on 80 minutes being the only real chance of note. And with Colchester happy to play down the clock and wait for a win, Gillingham were condemned to an early exit from the Carling Cup.

However, the Cherries have been dealt a killer blow ahead of the new season after being docked 17 points by the Football League for failing to come out of administration via the compulsory CVA (Company Voluntary Agreement). They become the third team in League Two to start the season in negative figures after Rotherham United were docked 17 points and Luton Town 30 points.

Gillingham have a full squad to choose from ahead of their season opener away to Bournemouth, after injury conerns Mark McCammon (hamstring), Gary Mulligan (ankle) and Nicky Southall (groin) have all been declared fit for Saturday’s game.

As well as seeing a league debut for Mark McCammon, Saturday’s match will also see loanee Curtis Weston make his Gillingham debut after he joined the club on a one-month loan from League One side Leeds United.

source: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com

Manager Mark Stimson, who is looking to bolster his defence ahead of the season opener away to AFC Bournemouth, was hoping to secure Elejiko on a short term deal, but after failing to lure the Nigerian to Priestfield, will now have to look elsewhere.

However, one player still on the cards is former Crystal Palace winger Tyrone Berry, who has impressed Stimson enough to earn a short term deal at the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

Stimson said: “Tyrone did well when he came on against Thurrock, he’s got a change of pace, gets in behind defences and that’s something you need on the bench.”

Stimson is also looking to bolster his attacking options even further, and the Gills boss is prepared to play the waiting game after holding talks this morning with his new target man. “Sometimes deals take time and with this striker, the window doesn’t shut until the end of the month so if we have to we’ll wait.”

Facey, who made 34 appearances in all competitions for the Gills last season, finished last season with a successful loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers, featuring in their League Two semi-final defeat to Stockport County.

However, with the signing of the Barbados striker Mark McCammon, and the fact that he only scored 3 goals last term, it was only really a matter of time before Facey left the club, as manager Mark Stimson accepted he couldn’t guarantee the striker regular first-team football.

Stimson told Gillingham’s official website: “With the arrival of Mark McCammon, I couldn’t guarantee Delroy first-team football. It’s good for him that he’s chosen to move on and I wish him all the best in the future.”

There was a long awaited debut for Gillingham’s big summer signing Mark McCammon, who partnered Canadian striker Simeon Jackson up front. Also among the starting eleven was Nigerian trialist Bobsam Elejiko, who partnered Simon King in the heart of defence, as well as Nicky Southall who returned on the right side of midfield, after missing a few games with a groin injury.

Gillingham started the game brightest, and could’ve taken the lead in the opening minute when Mark Bentley hit a shot just wide of the far post, after taking a deflection off Simeon Jackson. This made it clear that Gillingham would go on to dominate the first half, and shortly after their first chance of the game, Gillingham took the lead.

After collecting a lay-off from Mark Bentley on the right side of the Thurrock area, Nicky Southall drilled his shot high into the far corner of the host’s goal to give Gillingham a 1-0 lead with only 4 minutes gone.

Gillingham created several more chances before making it 2-0 on 39 minutes, when after latching onto a long clearance from the defence, Simeon Jackson beat Thurrock keeper Andrew Young at the near post.

The Gills made one change at half-time, with Gary Mulligan replacing summer signing Mark McCammon, as manager Mark Stimson looks to protect the big forward for the start of the new season.

Gillingham continued to dominate in the second half and should’ve made it three on 54 minutes, but Gary Mulligan hit his shot straight at the keeper. Mulligan then had another chance on 64 minutes, but again failed to convert, hitting his shot wide this time.

So overall a good performance from the Gills, which will most certainly make manager Mark Stimson pleased ahead of the start of the new campaign away to Bournemouth.

The 21 year-old midfielder, who can also play out on the wing, began his professional career with Gills’ rivals Millwall, and has played at the highest level having featured for Millwall in the 2004 FA Cup Final, where he hit the headlines for being the youngest player ever to play in an FA Cup final, breaking the 125 year record of the previous record holder, James Princep.

Weston will go straight into the squad for Gillingham’s final match of their pre-season campaign against Thurrock today, and having watched his new signing in training yesterday, Gills manager Mark Stimson seems delighted with his capture: “Curtis can play wide right or in the centre of the pitch, he’s versatile and at an early age looked set to be a big star. He followed Dennis Wise to Leeds but unfortuately, with the change of manager, things didn’t work out for him.”

Stimson went on to add: “He will show a lot of energy and add a bit of quality too and that’s what we’re looking to add to the squad now. He’s in for a month so we can take a look at him and he can have a look at us with a view to a permanent signing. He’s got a hunger for the game and a determination and I’m really pleased to have him here.”

source: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com

It was certainly a different, and arguably a more challenging test for the Gills, with Town manager Jim Magilton bringing along a very strong side to the krbs Priestfield Stadium, including the likes of Pablo Counago, Richard Wright, Kevin Lisbie, Jamie Peters and new Dutch signing Pim Balkestein. Stimson said: “After the first three pre-season games, I said that we needed to get those games out of the way and then face a different test this week with the games against Ipswich and Birmingham. We had a good crack at it and we went in with a worthy lead at half-time.”

“I don’t think we’re going to face a team in League Two like Ipswich with their pace and movement so it was a good workout for us. We knew that we wouldn’t be kicked and pulled about and we would have to try and match their movement. I am pleased for the boys as we didn’t perform anywhere like we can at Grays on Saturday but against Ipswich, we did.”

“The pitch is in fantastic condition and the game was played the right way. The only sad thing is Gary Mulligan and Dennis Oli coming off with ankle injuries but hopefully they’re not too serious. Adam Miller went down and their lad, unfortunately, trod on his arm and wrist so that’s swollen up but should be okay for Saturday.”

source: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com 

Manager Mark Stimson said before tonight’s game that he was going to play his best starting eleven, but it was Ipswich who started brighter as they dominated possession and created a few opportunities, showing their Championship quality. This meant Gillingham could only make their first real chance of the game on 6 minutes, when striker Gary Mulligan headed over from an Adam Miller cross.

The Gills then had another chance on 10 minutes when a shot from a free kick went just wide after Adam Miller was fouled following a good run with the ball.

Andrew Crofts was next to try and test the Ipswich goal on 17 minutes, but the Wales midfielder hit his long-range shot over the bar, troubling neither the Ipswich goalkeeper or the defence.

However, Crofts came closer with a second attempt on 21 minutes that hit the woodwork, when he saw his shot beat Ipswich keeper Richard Wright but not the post, as Gillingham started to press on for the opening goal.

Ispwich were the next team to try their luck on goal, when striker Jonathan Walters created something out of nothing, hitting a powerful shot which forced the acrobatics from Simon Royce in order to keep the scores level.

Gillingham had another good chance on 33 minutes when Dennis Oli showed his strength and persistence, making a good run into the box and then creating a chance for striker partner Simeon Jackson, but the Canadian forward hit his shot wide.

It wasn’t long however until the Gills broke the deadlock, when on 38 minutes, the so far impressive Simeon Jackson put the Gills ahead after hitting a low effort that drifted in past keeper Richard Wright, following a lay-off from strike-partner Gary Mulligan.

Rather unlike the previous three friendlies, there was only one change at half-time for the Gills, as Nicky Southall came on in place of Gary Mulligan.

The second half started rather slowly, with neither side creating any clear opportunities. However it was visitors Ipswich who did create the first real opportunity of the second half, when on 55 minutes Jonathan Walters crossed in from the left for striker Pablo Counago, but the Spaniard failed to find the target as hit his effort against the side netting. 

Gillingham came close themselves a few minutes later when club captain Mark Bentley saw a powerful volley go just over the bar.

The visitors then equalised on 62 minutes when striker Danny Haynes was awarded a penalty after being felled in the box by Gills defender Simon King. Town midfielder Tommy Miller stepped up to take the penalty and coolly slotted home, sending keeper Simon Royce the wrong way.

Ipswich could’ve then took the lead on 69 minutes, when Town’s new Dutch signing Pim Balkestein beat Simeon Jackson to a loose ball and hit a fierce goal bound effort which required quick reactions from Simon Royce in order to keep the score tied.

Few chances were created in the latter stages of the game, and both sides made multiple changes, with Gills’ Sean Clohessy coming on for midfielder Adam Miller, who was forced to depart on 83 minutes with what looked to be an arm injury.

In the end it finished 1-1, with the Gills receiving a big ovation from the 1,300 strong home crowd, who will be just pleased as manager Mark Stimson by the good performance today from the Gills, against a tough Championship opposition who brought along some of their best players to the krbs Priestfield Stadium.

Roget, a central defender who has previously played for Southend United and Stockport County, featured as a second half substitute in all three of Gillingham’s pre-season friendlies so far.

Nigel Atangana, the young French midfielder formerly of Ligue 1 side SM Caen, joined last Thursday and played in the Gills’ last two friendlies away to Faversham and Grays Athletic.

Alex Bailey, the former Arsenal trainee, played in only one of Gillingham’s pre-season friendlies, the home game against Stevenage Borough.

One trialist who has impressed however is Alistair John, the right-sided midfielder currently on trial from Stevenage Borough. John impressed Stimson in the Gills’ opening two pre-season fixtures, but got injured in the latter stages of the second against Faversham. However, that hasn’t put Stimson off, with the Gills boss keen test him in the homes games against Championship sides Ipswich Town and Birmingham City, once he has regained full fitness.