It was sunny with a chilly wind at the Abbey Stadium as the men in amber took on the Gills from Gillingham. United were playing well but our visitors were going through a sticky patch, some recent poor games for them resulted in a 1-5 home defeat to MK Dons on Tuesday. Another good crowd of 7490 including a very impressive 1034 from Kent waited for the game. For the U’s there were 2 changes with Sullay KaiKai and Louis Appere returning in place of Shane McLoughlin and the ineligible Elliott Nevitt on loan of course from Gillingham.
The visitors won the toss, so United kicked off towards the south stand. United were soon at it as an early free kick found Appere who nodded on for Dom Ball to hit the ball from about 10 yards into the roof of the net for 1-0 after 2 minutes. The U’s were really fired up and Liam Bennett set up Appere who sliced through the defence but before he could shoot keeper Morris closed him down and the chance was gone. United were simply outplaying and out passing the hapless visitors. Appere fired in a shot saved low down by Morris. There were less than 5 minutes gone and we could have already been three up. Ben Knight playing superbly, linking up with Bennett who fired in another effort saved low down again by the busy Morris.
Despite the energetic start by the U’s, the visitors were guilty of a number of poor challenges, especially on Ben Knight. United were winning a number of free kicks and were threatening to overwhelm their opponents. James Brophy then set up Appere who crossed for Dom Ball to shoot high and wide. The number of free kicks increased with referee Barlow happy to warn offenders at this time. KaiKai then beat a couple of defenders and crossed for Bennett to head at goal. It was cleared off the line, but after 30 minutes it could really have been four. Kell Watts then had an effort blocked. Cirino of Gillingham was finally booked for fouling Bennett and was lucky that James Gibbons didn’t get to him first. Brophy then sent over a corner for Mamadou Jobe to head wide. United forced a number of corners that had the visitors struggling to clear, from the fourth one Gibbons hit the far post from an angle.
It was one way traffic. Brophy then sent over another corner, Appere headed on for Pelly Mapanzu to fire home for 2-0. Keeper Morris got a hand to it but may have been obstructed by fellow defenders. In their first attempt on goal on 39, Khumbeni fired well over the NRE towards the A14 it was that far off target. Ben Knight slicing through the defence was fouled yet again earning Smith a yellow card. Appere then set up Knight who fired inches wide. The ball having been won because of a poor clearance. Half time came at 2-0 it really could have been five.
Gillingham replaced Khumbeni with Sam Vokes an experienced player. Straight back into it, United attacked and KaiKai beat a couple of defenders before firing in a shot which deflected into goal by Cirino, the own goal making it 3-0 on 50. Moments later with the U’s attacking the NRE and the crowd calling for more, they got just that as Ball set up KaiKai who beat the offside trap and chipped the ball over Morris for 4-0 on 54. In a rare break, Clark crossed for debutant Waldock to head wide. Clark then set up Rowe who had his effort cleared. On 61 Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth replaced Cirino, Palmer-Houlden and Williams with Beckles, Little and Dack. The visitors had a more experienced look about them.
United though were still on the rampage with KaiKai setting up Ball who missed a sitter. United then replaced Appere, KaiKai and Brophy with Korey Smith, Shayne Lavery and Ben Purrington on 67. James Gibbons crossed for Knight to head wide. The visitors were still not choosy with some of their tackling with Knight and Smith the targets this time. On 72 keeper Morris climbed high to punch clear but clattered into Gibbons who had to receive treatment for the poor challenge. Had it been any other player, I’m certain it would have been a penalty kick. United replaced the injured Gibbons with Sean Raggett on 73. On 76 McCleary replaced Rowe for Gillingham. Dack then fired high and wide for the visitors on 79 from a free kick.
There was a welcome return for Kylian Kouassi who replaced Ball on 80. Dack was then booked for a crude foul. He had been pushing his luck since he came on. Vokes set up Hale who fired over and McCleary then passed to Hale whose shot was blocked. There were 6 minutes of stoppage time with United scoring again when Knight who had been brilliant all afternoon set up Lavery who from 15 yards fired into the far corner for 5-0. It was a goal of pure class. United finished the game on the attack and the referee blew for full time. It had been a great afternoon against quite a poor team, United winning 5-0. Double the score would have been justified.
United played some of their best football of the season. The interplay from midfield to the forwards was outstanding with Ben Knight my star man being the best of a great selection today. The visitors were hopelessly outclassed and the U’s made their dominance count. Gillingham did have injury problems but fielded several senior pros in the second half. For United though this was the best performance of the season. Yes Walsall, Salford and Grimsby line up next but this United team keeps getting better and better and have nothing to fear.
Ref Watch – Michael Barlow -8. It was probably an easy game to referee and he did well. A good level of fitness, whistle and positioning. If I had a small point to suggest he was rather lenient in the first half with some poor tackles from a Gillingham side being completely overrun. He looked good though and I would be pleased to see him here again.