Bishops Stortford 1 v Gills 4 (Rooney 3 (1 pen), Norville)

His team selection for the Bishops Stortford game might give some clues as to his first team preference as it was a mix of some probables but mostly possibles and some triallists.

Gills team: Lance Cronin, Darren Lough, Nicky Southall, Connor Essam, Josh Gowling (captain), Kevin Maher, Luke Rooney, Danny Spiller, Andy White, Stanley Aborah and Jason Norville.

Subs: Malvin Kamara, Jack Clarke, Tony Sinclair, Jack Payne and Stefan Payne.

Bishops Stortford team: Ashley Jones, Ritchie Jones, Aiden Palmer, Alli Abdullahi, Lynval Duncan, jack Lampe, Mitch Hahn, Reece Prestedge, Hakeem Araba, Scott Shulton and Charlie Simpson.

Subs: Matt Jones, Bert Greenwood, Leon Antoine, Tom Querry, Stevland Angus, Lai Bas Lette Jallow, Jon Docker, Dave Chick, Duane Jackman and Chris Sargent.

The game started with a tentative approach by both sides but the Gills were never threatened in the opening exchanges. However Gills soon got into their stride after this slowish start. They took the lead in the 20th minute through a Luke Rooney penalty.

Gills went 2-0 up shortly after as Luke Rooney fired his second from fully 20 yards and the Gills were well on top. Gills scored a third just before the break on 41 minutes when youth team player Jason Norville had a simple tap in from a neat Danny Spiller cutback.

Andy Hess subbed scorer Jason Norvile with Kamara for the second half.

Twelve minutes after the re-start Luke Rooney completed his hat trick with a header from a Danny Spiller corner with a little assist from Kamara and put the Gills 4-0 to the good.

Stefan Payne came on as sub for Stanley Aborah and with fifteen minutes left Bishops Stortford pulled a goal back to make the final score 1-4.

As a practice game it proved useful with a good run-out for the Gills “second string”. Luke Rooney and Danny Spiller both looked quality, especially in the first half, and Nicky Southall played the full 90 minutes.

Darren Lough was another trialist for Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler to look at. Darren has played for Newcastle United and can play either left back or as a left sided centre back. Darren has also captained Newcastle reserves. Perhaps Gills new Sponsors Automatic Retailer, who have links with Premiership Newcastle, recommended Darren to Andy Hessenthaler?

Simon King, (left), who was also at the game and spoke to GillsConnect Man on the Terrace, said he hoped to be back playing in November for the Gills at either the Barnet or Oxford game.