Gillingham head to Margate for the second round of the Kent Senior Cup

Gillingham manager Neil Harris says they’re in it to win it as he looks ahead to a Kent Cup contest with Margate.

Not all Gills managers have taken much interest in the county cup competition, but while Harris won’t be risking his senior starters, it may be an opportunity for some fringe players and talented youngsters to show what they can do.

Gillingham head to Margate for a second round Kent Senior Cup match tonight (Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm).

Harris plans to be there at the match, and said: “That game takes priority for me, I will be going to that rather than a League 1 game or looking at future players.

“I want us to win the competition, I want us to beat Margate and then the next round against Dartford and Dover and I want us to get to the final. I want to see the young players have a winning mentality.”

One man who could feature for the Gills is young striker Joe Gbode, who only ended his loan spell with non-league Margate on Saturday. Despite not scoring for the Isthmian Premier Division side, he made a good impression during his one-month stint.

Harris will consult with his backroom team before deciding just who to include. Senior pros like Christian Maghoma, Tom Dickson-Peters and Charlie Kelman could do with minutes.

The likes of Harvey Lintott, Bailey Akehurst, Josh Chambers and Sam Gale, who have all been around the first-team this season, are set to be involved. Striker Gerald Sithole is missing through injury but his younger brother Ronald could feature. Kai Garrett could also have earned a place in the squad, scoring twice at the weekend for the under-18s while Chambers netted with a free-kick.

Great to see @TheGillsFC u18s kick off their Merit League campaign with a 3-2 win over Southend this morning! 2