Town secure a 0-2 away win against Gillingham.
Gills: Tomas Holy, Luke O’Niell, Max Ehmer, Brandon Hanlan, Dean Parrett (Tahvon Campbell, 73), Tom Eaves, Graham Burke (Josh Rees, 67), Barry Fuller, Billy Bingham (Elliot List, 45), Mark Bryne, Connor Ogilvie.
Subs: Tom Hadler, Alex Lacey, Tahvon Campbell, Elliot List, Darren Oldaker, Billy king, Josh Rees.
Town: Jonathan Mitchell, Ro-Shaun Williams, Omar Beckles, Shaun Whalley (Josh Laurent, 71), Greg Docherty, Tyrese Campbell (Fejiri Okenabirhie, 83), James Bolton (Ryan Sears, 80), Luke Waterfall, Scott Golbourne, Anthony Grant.
Subs: Reice Charles-Cook, Mat Sadler, Fejiri Okenabirhie, Alex Gilliead, Ryan Sears, Josh Laurent, Stefan Payne.
Referee: Thomas Bramall
Assistants: Rob Smith and Bhupinder Gill
Fourth official: Andrew Williams
Town’s trip to the Gills’ Priestfield Stadium came to an end with the Shrews securing three points.
James Bolton and Tyrese Campbell were the pair on hand to secure Town the win with a goal each.
First Half:
Town’s afternoon in Kent got under way to a fiery and fast paced opening 10 minutes. Both sides hit the post in what was a very competitive opening period. Shaun Whalley was the man for Town who hit the post with his free-kick effort.
Town were the team getting the main bulk of the chances and were looking a threat in the Gills box. Tyrese Campbell came close to converting from Whalley’s pass. The strikers’ effort snuck under the keeper but couldn’t beat the post.
Town’s industrious midfield were constantly trying to force the play and progress into the final third. Whalley and Ollie Norburn were the two standout players looking to create chances and drive the ball forward.
As the half progressed, neither team created clear-cut chances. The Gills were pumping long balls forward, but the Town back five were doing a good job in heading the ball away from danger.
The half came to an end with neither team notching a goal. Town would have been pleased after a positive half and would have gained confidence going into the second-half.
Second Half:
Town started the second-half in near perfect fashion, with Omar Beckles nearly putting Town in the lead. The defender got on the end of a cross but was unable to bundle the ball into the back of the net due to a Tomas Holy save.
Town did take the lead just a minute later in the 49th minute through James Bolton. The defender latched onto the end of Whalley’s cross and managed to guide the ball into the corner of the net through a number of Gills bodies.
Town were the team in control but had to be switched on at all times with the home side looking to get back into the game. Beckles was nearly caught out by Brandon Hanlan in the Town box but the Shrews man managed to recover well and clear the ball.
To the delight of the travelling Shrews fans, Town doubled the lead with 62minutes on the clock. Scott Golbourne fired in a cross towards Town’s number 11, and the striker eloquently slotted the ball home first time past the Gills keeper Tomas Holy.
Greg Docherty was given a yellow card in the 66th minute by referee Thomas Bramall for a foul on Elliot List.
Town were the team in the ascendancy and were frustrating the home side as the half progressed into the final 10 minutes. The Gills were finding it hard to break down Town’s back line and couldn’t create clear chances.
Mark Byrne was given a yellow card in the latter stages of the game for a foul on Norburn.
The game came to an end with Town securing all three points at the Gills’ Priestfield Stadium.