Colchester United 0 Gillingham 1: League 2 match report from the Jobserve Community Stadium - Scott Malone scores again for the Gills

Gillingham got their new year off to a winning start after beating troubled Colchester.

The Gills twice hit the woodwork during a terrific start to the second half at lowly Colchester either side of Scott Malone’s strike, the only goal of the game. Home keeper Owen Goodman pulled off several good saves to ensure the Gills were unable to add to their tally.

Malone was rewarded for his match winner on the Friday with a place back in the eleven and he made it two goals in two and four for the season with his goal. Connor Mahoney was also returned into the XI after an impressive performance off the bench, replacing injured Jonny Williams last time out.

Former Gills striker John Akinde was back in the starting line-up for a Colchester team facing a relegation battle this term. Akinde’s previous nine league appearances of the campaign had failed to produce a goal.

The Gills were in no position to criticise anyone over goalscoring form and it took left-back Malone to show the forwards how it’s done in a 1-0 win over Sutton, scoring with a superb volley at Priestfield.

A great chance for Gillingham came as early as the third minute when Oli Hawkins held the ball up and played in Dom Jefferies, the midfielder poking the ball past a defender and as he looked to pick out the bottom corner, Owen Goodman saved with an outstretched arm.

What didn’t help the Gills was a poor Colchester pitch that looked sticky and bobbly but they still managed to pass it well at times.

Gills shaded the opening half but the hosts had the best chance of the first 45. Noah Chilvers crossed for Taylor at the back post and he managed to shoot wide with the whole goal to aim for.

Other than that the Gills hadn’t been overly troubled, with Arthur Read firing