Concord Rangers 2 v Gills 0

Rangers were promoted last season finishing runners up in Ryman League North but won the Divisional Play-Off to reach the Ryman Premier for the first time in their history.

So the crowd at the Thames Road Ground were all set for a competitive game as Concord Rangers had a confident 4-0 demolition win at home against Bishops Stortford who Gills played last Friday winning 4-1. It didn’t turn out that way it what was a poor and mostly dull game although the locals must have been pleased to have gained a win over League opposition.

Gills manager Andy Hessenthaler, with Thursday’s home game against SPL Hearts game in mind fielded a distinctly second string team for the game with Connor Eassam as captain and several triallists.

However, the starting line-up did included Gills new goalkeeper, Lance Cronin and Big Mark McCammon returning from injury as one of the substitutes.

The game started in the slow lane with loads of midfield tapping and passing but no real movement and chances on goal. It took a full ten minutes before any goal attempt was made coming from Concord from a free-kick low down to Lance Cronin’s right that was comfortably saved.

The sparse crowd were hardly getting their £5 worth as both teams struggled to find any decent attacking rhythm although Concord Rangers were having the majority of the ball in the early stages without really progressing.

The first thirty minutes was below average and tepid stuff from the Gills who were not together probably not surprisingly with so many new faces in the team. Concord Rangers were mostly in the driving seat, having most of the ball, but not making good attacking use of their possession.

Lance Cronin (left) was the busier of the two keeper’s and had to be alert with a couple of good efforts from Rangers including a neat Bert Brayley strike heading low into the corner that was well saved by Gills new shot stopper.

Lance had to be at his best when Concord’s Harry Elmes tried his luck from just outside the area and then right on the 45 minute whistle Gills had their first effort on goal when Jason Norville also tried his luck from range but directed straight into the arms of Lemar Johnson in the Ranger’s goal.

As a hardly inspiring first half limped to its close many in the 200+ crowd were thankful for the break - giving them something else to do like watching a cup of tea and burger bun - that was possibly more exciting.

The second period started in much the same manner as the first. Concord earned a free kick and their dead ball specialist Bert Brayley put it over Lance Cronin’s crossbar. There was still no goal attacking intent or movement from the Gills and if any of the triallists were hoping for extended time from Andy Hess and his coaching staff they were not showing any promise.

Concord Rangers were showing the more enterprise throughout and just to freshen up their team brought on four substitutes and within a minute forced yet another good save from Lance Cronin as Gills looked anything like a cohesive unit.

Nearly seventy minutes into the game and the game suddenly sprang to life.

Gills had their second real attempt from Malvin Kamara who fired a shot just wide of the Concord Ranger’s goal. Then a minute later came Concord’s reward for their efforts when they scored the opener.

One of their subs, Kayan Kalipha, runs onto a great defence splitting pass and as Lance Cronin came out, rounded him easily and slotted the ball home.

With fifteen minutes left, the Gills bench reacted by sending on Mark McCammon (right) for Malvin Kamara and Darren Hawkes as sub goalkeeper for the impressive Lance Cronin. Without his fine display Gills would have been even further adrift.

Before young Darren had settled between the sticks a long range speculative shot from Concord’s Dave Collins kept low and streaked past the new Gills goalie and the home team were two goals in the lead.

Big Mac, just back from a long lay-off and possibly not at his peak, managed two neat efforts and did put the ball into the net from one but the referee ruled it offside.

The match ended in defeat for the Gills but in all honesty they got what they deserved and with the first teamers back on Thursday against Hearts they will be hoping to get back to winning ways.

Gills: Lance Cronin (Darren Hawkes 75 minutes), Jack Clarke, Jack Evans, Alex Brown, Connor Essam, Alan Leacock (Callum Davies 38 minutes), Malvin Kamara (Mark McCammon 75 minutes), Tom Brunt, Jason Norville, Derek Page (Barnett 48 minutes) and Luke Medley. Attendance approx 200 and one dog.