Gillingham continued their impressive form with a 3-0 victory over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night. The win at MEMS Priestfield Stadium was secured by goals from James Brophy and a late double from substitute Sheldon Kendall.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth pointed to his team's physical condition as a key factor. "We look fit and strong," Ainsworth said after the match. He highlighted the positive impact of his substitutions and the team's ability to control their own penalty area, limiting Bristol Rovers to few shots on target.
The result extends Gillingham's winning streak to three matches across all competitions, a run that has lifted them to fourth place in League Two with 12 points from seven games. They are now just three points behind leaders Barnet.
Sheldon Kendall was the standout performer, coming off the bench to score his first two professional goals in the 85th and 89th minutes. His late strikes put a definitive stamp on a game where James Brophy had opened the scoring in the 55th minute. The team has now scored 11 goals this season while conceding only six.
Ainsworth acknowledged the natural ups and downs of a season but stressed the importance of building momentum. He was pleased with how his players handled the game, avoiding potential pitfalls. The manager also noted minor fitness concerns, with Eli King and Omar Beckles experiencing cramp late on, but viewed it as a sign of the effort put in.
Gillingham's recent results show a team in confident mood. Following draws with Chesterfield and Northampton, they have recorded convincing wins over Rochdale, Tranmere, and now Bristol Rovers. Their next challenge is a league fixture away to York, who sit seventh in the table, on 26 September. The full schedule is available on our fixtures page.
The depth of the squad was on full display, with players like Kendall making a decisive impact from the bench. This strength will be vital as Gillingham aims to maintain their positive start and close the gap at the top of League Two. For a look at the players contributing to this run, visit the squad page.
More detail at Gillingham Football Club
