Despite the final scoreline, the evening was one of mixed fortunes for Gillingham, who needed at least a draw to keep their hopes of advancing in the competition alive. Crystal Palace’s youngsters, however, took control early on, with Jemiah Umolu and Franco Umeh finding the net before halftime, and Hindolo Mustapha adding a third just after the restart.
Although Marcus Wyllie scored a late consolation – his first professional goal – the Gills were second-best for much of the contest.
Gillingham’s EFL Trophy campaign got off to a shaky start with an opening defeat to Peterborough United, making this match crucial for their chances of progression. But with a crucial league fixture against Barrow looming, manager Mark Bonner made wholesale changes, opting for a rotated side featuring nine new faces from the weekend’s squad. Only Remeao Hutton and Armani Little retained their starting spots from the previous game against Notts County.
Palace, brimming with energy and youthful intent, quickly set the tone by pressing Gillingham high up the pitch and seizing on any lapses in concentration. Luca Ashby-Hammond, filling in for Glenn Morris between the sticks, was soon called into action, making a comfortable save from a Justin Devenny free-kick in the early stages.
While Gillingham did create a couple of chances through Jacob Wakeling, with one effort blocked by defender Eyimose Jemide and another deflected wide, Palace’s relentless pressure was eventually rewarded. On 25 minutes, a cross from Devenny found Jemiah Umolu, who rose above the Gillingham defence to head home and give the visitors a deserved lead.
Ashby-Hammond did well to deny Umolu a second goal moments later, but Palace’s persistence paid off once again in the 39th minute. From a corner, the ball was headed back across goal by Grehan, and Umeh reacted fastest, stabbing the ball through a crowded penalty area to make it 2-0.
At the break, Gillingham had been outplayed, and Bonner made three changes, opting to rest key senior players ahead of their upcoming league match against Barrow. Despite some early second-half energy from the Gills, it was Palace who struck again just seven minutes after the restart. Mustapha capitalized on a defensive lapse, leaving Shad Ogie on the ground as he picked his spot past Ashby-Hammond to make it 3-0.
Palace continued to find joy in Gillingham’s defensive third, with Devenny firing a shot over the bar as the visitors looked to increase their lead. However, Gillingham pulled one back in the 82nd minute when substitute Joe Gbode whipped in a cross that Wyllie headed home for his first goal in senior football.
There was more drama to come, as Oli Hawkins brought down Asher Agbinone in the box, gifting Palace a chance to respond immediately. Agbinone stepped up to take the penalty, but Ashby-Hammond was equal to the task, diving low to his left to keep it out. The Gills keeper denied Agbinone again shortly after, this time with his foot, as the visitors threatened to restore their three-goal advantage.
In the final moments, Palace continued to create chances, but Ashby-Hammond stood firm, producing two more saves to thwart Zach Marsh and ensure the scoreline remained respectable at 3-1.
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