Gillingham got the better of Isthmian Premier Division Dartford after a dominant second half display.
Jayden Clarke scored twice for Gillingham in the space of three minutes during a relentless start to the second period from the League 2 side. Youth team striker Harry Bridle added two more goals for the visitors to complete a 4-0 scoreline..
Gillingham handed a start to their new striker Marcus Wyllie, signed on Monday from Enfield Town, and he impressed on his first showing.
Wyllie had an early shot saved by Dartford keeper Jacob Marsden, had a headed effort ruled out for offside, did all the hard work for Gills’ second goal and went close on a couple of occasions just before mass changes after the hour mark.
Dartford boss Ady Pennock and his assistant Roland Edge – former teammates at the Gills – had overseen a major rebuild in the summer after relegation to the Isthmian Premier Division.
Their summer recruits included former Gills under-18 player Ben Allen – named on the bench for the Darts.
Gillingham – playing their third pre-season game of the summer – included new signing Wyllie upfront along with former Charlton player Euan Williams, who is on trial.
A handful of youth players helped fill the Gills squad with a number of senior players out injured. Josh Andrews and Elliott Nevitt were both missing from the weekend.
Also out were Jonny Williams, Ethan Coleman, Armani Little, Alex Giles and George Lapslie.
Neither keeper was overly tested in the opening half with Marsden denying Wyllie with an early opener, saving with his legs to deny the new Gillingham striker.
Jayden Clarke had plenty of the ball down the Gills left side while on the opposite flank Jack Nolan fired wide after the visitors worked an opening from the edge of the box.
Dartford youngster Olly Box put a couple of corners in the box but keeper Glenn Morris wasn’t troubled despite Callum Jones and Duane Ofori-Acheampong keeping the Gillingham defenders on their toes.
Nolan had an early second half chance for the Gills but couldn’t get a decent connection to an angled pass allowing Dartford’s trialist keeper to gather.
The Gills continued to find spaces to attack at the start of the second half, spreading the ball around the pitch, and they got an opening goal in the 54th minute.
Remeao Hutton hit a crossfield pass to Clarke and his deft finish beat the Dartford keeper who had come out to close the gap.
Three minutes after his opener Clarke had another. Wyllie won possession on the edge of the box and when his shot was blocked, he ball fell kindly to the Gills winger to convert.
Gillingham made changes but continued to enjoy space down the right flank and Joe Gbode picked out Ashley Nadesan – making his first appearance of pre-season – but he was unable to convert at the back post.
Dartford’s replacement keeper was certainly busier in the second half and made saves to deny Aaron Rowe and a couple of efforts from Bridle, before he made it third time lucky.
Youth striker Bridle found himself in space after the Darts lost possession close to goal and he made them pay with a clinical finish.
Gbode was denied by the Darts keeper late on, out-muscling his marker to win a ball over the top, as the Gills threatened to extend their advantage. Bridle also headed wide from Robbie McKenzie’s cross.
Bridle added Gillingham’s fourth with the last kick of the game from Harry Waldock’s cross.
Gillingham: Morris (Turner 62mins), Hutton (Webster 62mins), Clark Gale 62mins), Hawkins (Ehmer 62min), Masterson (Ogie 62mins), Dieng (McKenzie 62mins), Skipper (Waldock 46mins), Nolan (Gbode 62mins), Clarke (Rowe 62mins), E Williams (Bridle 62mins), Wyllie (Nadesan 62mins).
Dartford: Marsden (Trialist 46mins), Whitefield, Odaudu, Hill, Jones, Pinder, Nayler, Olapade, Box, Williams, Ofori-Acheampong. Subs: Allen, Day, Campbell, Christian-Law, Proctor, Kepka, 4xtrialists.
Referee: Ben Atkinson
Attendance: 1,008
