Gillingham kicked off their 2026/27 pre-season campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Championship side Millwall at Priestfield Stadium. New signing Will Goodwin marked his debut with the only goal of the game, giving manager Gareth Ainsworth's side a perfect start to their preparations for the new League Two season. League standing: 17th in League Two, 53 pts, 13W-14D-19L from 46 games, recent form WLLLD.

How did Goodwin make an immediate impact?

The Gills' new striker wasted no time in making his mark, opening the scoring in the 16th minute with a well-placed finish. Goodwin, who joined from League One side Bolton Wanderers this summer, showed his predatory instincts by picking his spot through a crowded area after being set up by trialist Nick Freeman. The goal proved to be the difference as Gillingham held firm against their higher-league opponents.

What challenges did Gillingham face?

Gillingham were without several key players due to injury, including first-choice goalkeeper Ollie Wright and midfielders Bradley Dack and Garath McCleary. With only six senior players unavailable, the Gills had to rely on a mix of experienced campaigners and youngsters. The injury list has been a concern for Ainsworth, who will be hoping for a full-strength squad when the competitive action begins.

How did the youngsters perform?

With several first-team regulars missing, young goalkeeper Lennon MacLorg was given the chance to impress. The 19-year-old made a couple of crucial saves, including a low stop from Mathis Servais, to preserve the clean sheet. MacLorg's performance will have given Ainsworth food for thought as he considers his options between the sticks. Trialist Nick Freeman also caught the eye with his versatility, playing as a wing-back and providing the assist for Goodwin's goal.

What's next for Gillingham?

The Gills will be looking to build on this positive result as they continue their pre-season preparations. With the new League Two season just around the corner, Ainsworth will be keen to fine-tune his squad and tactics. Gillingham finished last season in 17th place, 34 points behind leaders Bromley, and will be aiming to improve on that this time around. Their last result was a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury on 2 May 2026, and they will be hoping to carry that momentum into the new campaign.