Gillingham 0 Charlton Athletic 2

Our first win there since 1980, although it’s only been a regular fixture during the Duchatelet era. Bowyer rested Lyle Taylor and Patrick Bauer who were carrying slight knocks. Skipper Jason Pearce, George Lapslie, Darren Pratley and Jonny Williams all came in and JFC, Lewis Page and Alfie Doughty were on the bench.
Over 2,300 Addicks sat amongst the scaffolding behind one goal and cheered and sung the Addicks to a comfortable win with both goals coming in the 1st half.
It was a strong start from the reds and halfway in Purrington cut back for Joe Aribo to put us ahead. Just before the break we were two-up after Williams shot was saved but the ball fell to Cullen who put in for his first Charlton goal.
The 2nd half was comfortable. Ex-Gill Josh Parker came on and was pretty insignificant apart from giving the ball away a couple of times. There were chances for Vetokele and Cullen but the game ended with Addicks fans serenading Bowyer’s men who took the 3 points back up the A2.
Addicks at Priestfield: Doctor Kish;
Bow: “To travel and keep supporting the lads as they have, I really appreciate it and so do the players. I’m glad that they’ve gone home with another victory, singing all the way home I guess.”
Elsewhere: Luton are making hard work of getting themselves up. The Hatters lost at Burton. Barnsley came from behind to beat Blackpool and are level on points in 2nd. Sunderland and Portsmouth shared the points at the Stadium of Life. Both plays their game in hand on Tuesday. Sunderland at Fleetwood and Pompey at home to Peterborough, who need to win. Posh were thrashed at Walsall today 3-0. Doncaster edged to 6th place with a draw at Oxford.
Photo: @K_AndrewsPhotos
A good professional display against a Gills team that looked to be mentally on the beach. We could and should have finished the game off a little more emphatically but the victory was easy and Bow got to rest Taylor and Bielik ahead of the play-offs. A couple of interesting points – Bow went for a new formation, three at the back, two wing backs and Cullen/Pratley/Aribo and Williams in midfield and we were just too strong for them in midfield. A second point was Alfie Doughty on the bench, I think that means barring an injury crisis that Marshall’s and Fosu’s Charlton career’s are done for.
So did Lapslie play centre back or Djiksteel?
Lapslie played right wing back with Dijksteel part of a three man centre back partnership. I wasn’t wholly sold on those players playing out of position and neither looked totally comfortable. But we won and they got some experience of playing outside their normal roles so all part of their footballing education.
By the way SP. I agree on Fosu and Marshall