If Kent truly is the Garden of England, then Gillingham is the bit down the side of the shed. The bit you forget about and cover sight of with a big plant pot. I hate it.
I hate it because of the ‘temporary’ away stand, which has now been in place so long it’s old enough to engage in consenting sex with other supposedly nomadic structures. I hate it because every match I’ve seen there was ruined by the wind that swirls in through the gap left by the fourth wall. I hate it because for six years it’s offered one of my nearest Rovers games, meaning despite all the above I’ve still turned up. And now I hate it because on the one occasion I’m unable to be there; it offers up a glorious resounding away win.
John Marquis got the scoring under way; taking control of a mis-hit Ben Whiteman shot to turn the ball into the bottom corner from eight yards.
Ten minutes after the break it was 2-0 as Mallik Wilks capitalised on indecision between keeper and defender to nick the ball and run it into the empty net. And, on the hour, Danny Andrew wrapped up the points as he brought a ball cleared from a corner under control before hitting a 25-yard half-volley that somehow swerved beneath the keeper.
Late on Jermaine Anderson finished his Rovers loan by deflecting in a consolation goal, but the gloss wasn’t lifted on a fine end to 2018.
by Glen Wilson
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