Match ends, Walsall 2, Gillingham 1.
WalsallWalsall2GillinghamGillingham1
First-half strikes from Morgan Ferrier and Isaiah Osbourne continued Walsall's promising start to the season with a 2-1 win over previously undefeated Gillingham.
Both sides went close early, with Tom Eaves' powerful header flying just wide for Gillingham, while Walsall full-back Luke Leahy's 20-yarder was saved by Tomas Holy.
The hosts led on 12 minutes as George Dobson fed Ferrier to cut inside to fire a superb strike into the top corner from just inside the box.
Josh Parker drilled narrowly wide for Gillingham from 20 yards 10 minutes later, before Ferrier nearly produced a replica of his opener but fired straight at Holy.
Gills' Brandon Hanlan forced a smart save from Liam Roberts but Walsall grabbed a vital second before the break as Osbourne swept into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
The Saddlers nearly had a third on 51 minutes but Andy Cook was foiled by Holy's strong right hand.
Gillingham came on strong late in the game and after Callum Reilly's header was cleared off the line by Dobson, they pulled one back at the death when Eaves headed home Barry Fuller's deep cross.
However, it was not enough to maintain their unbeaten run as they were leapfrogged in the League One table by their opponents.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Walsall
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Roberts
- 6Devlin
- 27Fitzwater
- 5Guthrie
- 3Leahy
- 8Morris
- 30Osbourne
- 4DobsonBooked at 89mins
- 11Ginnelly
- 16FerrierSubstituted forGordonat 90+1'minutes
- 9Cook
Substitutes
- 13Dunn
- 15Kinsella
- 17Kouhyar
- 18Sangha
- 19Candlin
- 28Wilson
- 29Gordon
Gillingham
Formation 4-1-2-1-2
- 1Holy
- 2O'NeillBooked at 78minsSubstituted forFullerat 78'minutes
- 5EhmerBooked at 86mins
- 6Zakuani
- 3Garmston
- 16BinghamSubstituted forReillyat 67'minutes
- 11Charles-Cook
- 33Byrne
- 14Parker
- 9Eaves
- 7HanlanSubstituted forWilkinsonat 66'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Lacey
- 10Wilkinson
- 12Fuller
- 13Reilly
- 17Nasseri
- 25Stevenson
- 30Hadler
- Referee:
- Trevor Kettle
- Attendance:
- 4,361
Match Stats
Home TeamWalsallAway TeamGillingham
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away19
- Shots on Target
- Home6
- Away6
- Corners
- Home3
- Away8
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Walsall 2, Gillingham 1.
Post update
Attempt missed. Regan Charles-Cook (Gillingham) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Post update
Foul by Josh Gordon (Walsall).
Post update
Gabriel Zakuani (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Goal!
Goal! Walsall 2, Gillingham 1. Tom Eaves (Gillingham) header from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Conor Wilkinson.
Post update
Attempt saved. Josh Gordon (Walsall) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Substitution
Substitution, Walsall. Josh Gordon replaces Morgan Ferrier.
Post update
Attempt saved. Callum Reilly (Gillingham) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Post update
Corner, Gillingham. Conceded by Andy Cook.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Josh Parker (Gillingham) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
George Dobson (Walsall) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Hand ball by George Dobson (Walsall).
Post update
Attempt blocked. Callum Reilly (Gillingham) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Mark Byrne (Gillingham) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Regan Charles-Cook (Gillingham) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Morgan Ferrier (Walsall).
Post update
Barry Fuller (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Luke Leahy (Walsall) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Booking
Max Ehmer (Gillingham) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
