Gillingham claimed an impressive first win of the season at Rochdale on Saturday with two brilliant goals from James Brophy.
Brophy curled home the opener and netted his second from a solo effort in a game which also saw Omar Beckles and Lamin Sillah score. Rochdale had Ed Francis sent off when they were three goals down but got a late consolation through Charlie Tasker.
Gareth Ainsworth’s men claimed their first win of the season on Saturday Picture: Barry Goodwin
Victory for the Gills came in their fifth league game of the season but it came at a cost.
Just 14 minutes had been played when new signing Zech Obiero went to ground on his debut. He hobbled off before the stretcher came out as he was unable to make the lap back around the pitch.
Will Goodwin was replaced at the same time as Obiero, following a bang to his ankle. The Gills have been hampered by injuries since the summer, and they show no sign of getting better.
An opening-day defeat for the Gills had been followed by three draws and despite positive signs, a win was much-needed. This was a huge confidence booster.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth made two changes to his starting lineup on Saturday – but the pre-match plans were quickly in tatters.
Newly signed midfielder Obiero came into the XI for his first minutes after signing on loan from Leyton Orient while fellow deadline-day midfield signing Eli King was named on the bench.
Goodwin was back to start upfront in preference to Lamin Sillah from the off. The early changes saw King replace Obiero and Sillah take over from Goodwin.
Rochdale had started the brighter of the two teams, and the best of their early chances saw their 6ft 5inch striker Mani Dieseruvwe meet a corner at the far post, but Gills’ keeper Ollie Wright stuck out a big hand to ensure it wasn’t creeping in.
Despite Rochdale’s positive play and superior possession, that was the only real chance in the half they had. Late in the half, Dajaune Brown attempted to divert a cross goalwards but couldn’t beat Wright.
Gillingham were holding onto their 33rd-minute lead that came following Brophy’s super strike.
Substitute King – a deadline day signing from Cardiff – showed a glimpse of his vision with a ball out wide to Nick Freeman and he then fed Brophy, who bent a shot beyond home goalie Nils Ramming.
Ronan Hale sent a shot at goal moments after the opener but Ramming claimed the shot at the second attempt.
Gillingham made another change at the break. Left wing-back Conor McManus was on a yellow card and got replaced by Robbie McKenzie. Brophy took over at LWB, McKenzie went into the middle of the park and Harry Waldock moved into the forward role.
Dieseruvwe headed a chance over the bar from an early second-half corner for Rochdale and McKenzie slid in well to block a shot from Baba Adeeko.
The Gills scored their second goal on 53 minutes through Beckles. Brophy’s first cross from a corner was cleared and when he went it back in, the Gills defender was on hand to turn the ball home.
Three minutes later and the Gills had a third when Sillah nodded home following good work from King and Andy Smith.
Rochdale’s hopes of getting back into the game were all over when Ed Francis picked up a second booking with an hour gone.
With ten men, Rochdale threatened through Luke Hannant but Wright was equal to the shot.
Brophy’s first goal had been good but his second was superb, running at the defence, showing brilliant close control to evade three defenders before finding the back of the net. Gillingham still had 20 minutes to play.
Hale tried to get in on the act with a shot that went just over, another that went wide and one that was held by the keeper.
Rochdale got a goal back on 87 minutes when Tasker met Jonny Smith’s corner and found the net with a looping header.
Gillingham: Wright, Beckles, Smith, Dobbs (Dobbs 64mins), Freeman, McManus, Waldock (Kendall 73mins), Obiero (King 18mins), Brophy (McKenzie 46mins), Goodwin (Sillah 18mins), Hale. Subs not used: Holtam, McCleary.
Rochdale: Ramming, Tasker, Wilson, Dieseruvwe (Henderson 90mins), Silcott-Duberry (Gilmour 66mins), Francis, Adeeko, Hannant (Smith 82mins), Taylor, Moss, Brown (Middleton 82mins). Subs not used: Waller, Adebayo-Rowling, Sherring.
Referee: Jamie Robinson
Attendance: 4,003