Gillingham fall at first hurdle


By Jack Nolan
August 15 2007

Gillingham have been knocked out of the League Cup having been beaten by three goals to nothing by Aidy Boothroyd's Watford. Gillingham's Gary Mulligan missed a penalty before coming off injured, and defender Efe Sodje saw red for an adjudged elbow which Gillingham boss Ronnie Jepson has since appealed over.  The game started with Gillingham boss Ronnie Jepson making several changes to the side that was defeated by Cheltenham Town on the weekend. Simon King and Craig Stone replaced the suspended Ian Cox and Steve Lomas respectively. 


 The game started brightly for The Gills who dominated the game and had a great chance to take the lead when Simon King was fouled inside the area from Nicky Southall's corner kick. Gary Mulligan stepped up to take the spot kick however his poor effort was easily saved by the Watford goalkeeper.

 Despite their domination, The Gills were made to pay the penalty for Mulligan's spot kick miss  when Watford took the lead. Thomas Priskin latched onto a cross to head the Hornets into a one goal leads.

 The Gills came close to equalising instantly when Gary Mulligan's effort was cleared off of the line. 

 Watford then doubled their advantage ten minutes before the interval when Nicky Southall conceeded a freekick in a dangerous area. Watford's Rinaldi netted a well taken free kick, which 'keeper Simon Royce probably should have dealt with.

 The Gills went in at half-time unlucky to be two goals down but never looked out of the game despite the scoreline. 

 Shortly after the interval, The Gills were dealt a huge blow when Efe Sodje was shown a somewhat questionable red card when he supposedly deliberatly elbowed a Watford player who did go down rather easy.

 Watford then killed off ten man Gillingham when substitue Campana headed in from close range.  

 After the game Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson revealed that he will be appealing against Efe Sodje's red card. The Gills play Tranmere Rovers at the krbs Priestfield Stadium this Saturday hoping to get their first points on the board, and to change the worrying statistic that Gillingham have seen more red cards then score goals or earn points!

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