A Peterborough United XI, containing players available for transfer, trialists and youngsters, were beaten 4-1 by a strong Gillingham side at Priestfield Stadium in the latest pre-season friendly on Tuesday evening.
Posh, fielding trialist Steve Collis in between the sticks, made most of the early running at Priestfield with Scott Griffiths sending a dangerous left-foot cross into the box, which just eluded the onrushing strikers.
Dominic Green, playing centrally, showed some nice early touches as Posh continued to dominate possession without creating too much in front of goal. In fact, it was Gillingham who had the first shot in anger, Curtis Weston firing a right-foot shot wide of the upright from 30-yards.
Andy Barcham was next to try his luck, but his shot was always rising and didn't trouble goalkeeper Steve Collis, who was at Bristol City last term with manager Gary Johnson prior to his release at the end of the season.
Collis had to be alert to deny Stefan Payne on the quarter hour mark after a poor back-pass from Exodus Geohaghon, but the hosts were in front moments later as a shot from Chris PALMER beat the shot-stopper and nestled into the net.
It was 2-0 to the hosts moments later as an in-swinging corner from Weston was glanced into the net via the inside of the post by Andy BARCHAM, who rose unchallenged in the six-yard box.
The hard work of Danny Mills nearly produced a chance for Posh on 18 minutes, but the Gills defence were able to clear the danger from their six-yard box. Rene Howe, playing against the team where he spent much of last season on-loan, headed a McCrae cross over the crossbar.
Collis made a smart save to deny Payne and then denied Oli as the home side continued to create the chances in front of goal. Posh were struggling to create anything of note in front of goal although Green continued to look lively in midfield.
Mills headed over the crossbar moments before the break, but as the half time whistle was sounded by the referee, it was the more experienced Gillingham side who were looking more comfortable.
Gillingham made a whole host of changes at the interval with former Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher and a man by the name of Rooney introduced, but the obvious quesiton of whether he was related to Wayne was met by a stern 'no'.
Green saw a free-kick from 25-yard free-kick claimed by Lance Cronin before a Geohaghon downward header was claimed on the line by Cronin after Green's corner kick caused havoc. Wright was next to test the goalkeeper, who grabbed the ball at the second attempt.
Rooney was denied by Collis at the other end as the second half started in lively fashion. Youngster Carl Piergianni made his second telling last-ditch tackle on 55 minutes after Geohaghon's pass was intercepted by Spiller.
Captain Josh Simpson, playing at right-back, was denied by a Cronin save on the hour mark but it was soon 3-0 to the hosts as Andy WHITE raced clear and coolly slotted the ball into the top corner.
Posh reduced the deficit on 65 minutes and it was a clever individual goal from Ben WRIGHT who took a touch, created a bit of space and coolly fired the ball past Cronin.
There were gaps appearing all over the pitch though and Gillingham soon restored their three goal cushion as White made progress down the left, his cross was left by lively substitute Aborah and ROONEY was on hand to fire through the legs of Collis.
The post came to Posh's aid on 78 minutes as Serge Makofo showed good pace to get to the ball ahead of Piergianni and fire a right-foot shot through the legs of Collis as Gillingham threatened a fifth goal.
Posh introduced Kgosietsile Ntlhe, a 16-year-old from the Centre of Excellence programme, for the injured Bishop with 10 minutes remaining with the youngster slotting in at left-back, his natural position.
Simpson saw a close-range effort smothered by Julian on 82 minutes after an initial error from the goalkeeper while at the other end, Rooney curled a shot well wide of the target. In stoppage time, Cronin grabbed a Wright free-kick at the second attempt before the final whistle was blown.
Gillingham first half: Julian, Fuller (c), Nutter, Payne, Gowling, Sinclair, Weston, Palmer, Payne, Oli, Barcham. Subs: Cronin, Essam, Jackman, Maher, Bentley, Rooney, Spiller, Makofo, White, Aborah, Bourezgui.
Gillingham second half: Cronin, Gowling (sub Essam 81min), Sinclair, Jackman, Spiller, White, Makofo, Aborah, Maher, Bentley, Rooney.
Posh: Collis, Simpson (c), Griffiths, McCrae, Geohaghon, Piergianni, Mills (sub Breeze 66min), Davies (sub Bishop 75min, sub Ntlhe 81min)), Howe, Green (sub Newell 84min), Wright. Unused subs: Richardson, Capocci, Lee.
Att: 1,064
