3rd XI Win vs Gillingham 3rd XI

Author-A Simpson

GW 3s went into the final friendly game off the back of a 3-0 away win at rivals Holcombe. Missing a few key players, the mainstay of the team turned up at Gillingham Anchorians in rainy conditions and turned in a good performance.

The first half was doninated by GW with some quick interplay between the midfield trio of Martin Lett, Jon White and Danny Eyre causing the Ancs defense real issues. A move of note led to Andrew Simpson being put through onto the Ancs goalie only for him to hit the right hand post.

There were chances for both sides, with the Ancs keeper making some brilliant saves to keep the scores level. Rajvir Singh narrowly missed a cross at the far post after some excellent Ancs defensive play. However on 25 minutes a great run to the by line by Martin Lett, was followed by a reverse pass across by Danny Eyre finding Simpson to deflect the ball into the roof of the Ancs net for 1-0 GW. This was followed shortly by a strike into the bottom left corner for 2-0 as a pass fell to Martin Lett on the top of the D. Fully deserved at that stage, with the young Ancs keeper keeping the score down.

Into the second half, the defense held strong with excellent play from Steve Debell, Steve Lett and Martin May thwarting anything Ancs had to throw at them. Duncan “The Eclipse” Bathgate was simply unbreakable. An amazing route one ball from one end of the pitch to the other from Derren Westbrook found Andy Simpson in space making it 3- 0 with a finish into the net at the near post. Ancs enjoyed a short spell of good play and pulled one back on 45 minutes following a deflection of the defense and a tap in at the far post. The GW keeper Bathgate was helpless to stop it. Jon White and Martin Lett had a huge influence in midfield with Danny Eyre and Derren Westbrook controlling the passing play from defense.

GW with the team spirit of last season, refused to allow Ancs back into the game. They continued to push forward and the skills of Graham Russell and Rajvir Singh on the wings with some mazy runs led to a chance from a tight angle on the left side of the Ancs D. Martin Lett pounced with the power of a “Shingi” thunderbolt from such angle. The keeper left fuming and hitting his pads as the ball “nutmegged” him. 4–1 GW. A minute later Andrew Simpson completing his hattrick following a through pass from Jon White with a reverse stick finish past the onrushing keeper. A good warm up to the league challenges to come. That makes it 16 wins from the last 18 in all competitions for GW 3s.
Full-time GW 5 - 1 Anchorians