Tonbridge Angels 1 Gillingham 5
THE scoreline suggests a difficult pre-season friendly for the Angels but the effort and movement gave their professional opponents plenty to think about.
Just one goal down at half-time against a team that might form Gillingham’s starting XI in League One was indicative of how well the hosts kept their concentration under a blazing sun.
After six minutes Angels captain Tom Parkinson delivered a crossfield pass to Joe Turner, who showed fine control and shot just over the bar.
The visitors went 1-0 up after 18 minutes when a cleverly weighted ball over the top put Brandon Hanlan through and he slid his shot past Angels keeper Jonny Henly.
Four minutes before half-time a period of Angels pressure saw new centre-back Arthur Lee turn in the area and fire off a shot, only to see the ball rebound off the post.
A minute later, the Gills keeper Tomas Holy had to come out of his area to deal with an awkward high ball but was put off by another Angels new boy, striker Alex Read. It seemed the former Harlow Town player had an open goal to aim at but a couple of defenders got back just in time to clear their lines.
On the stroke of half-time triallist Adem Ramadan cut inside from the right flank and forced a smart save from Holy.
Gillingham made a strong start to the second half and on 52 minutes Callum Reilly took his chance well to score the visitors’ second.
The Angels’ heads might have dropped but they produced a period of genuine pressure. A fine pass from Sonny Miles found Turner on the left and his shot produced a good save by Holy.
Gillingham went further ahead on the hour-mark with Hanlan claiming his second goal.
In the 71st minute Angels found a consolation when Read squeezed between the two centre-backs and cleverly lobbed Holy.
Further Gillingham goals duly arrived in the 78th and 79th minutes, scored by substitutes Noel Mbo and Frank Moussa.
But the Angels kept trying and in the 83rd minute a fine move ended with a shot from Ramadan forcing another good save out of Holy.
Angels’ assistant manager Barry Moore said: ‘We were very pleased with our performance this afternoon and I hope people simply don’t judge the squad on the final scoreline because that doesn’t reflect the effort the boys put in. It was great to see Ready get his goal too.’
PICTURE: GOOD SIGN: Alex Read (right) battles for the ball/ PHOTO: David Couldridge
