Gills striker Kedwell scores from the penalty spot Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Danny Kedwell struck twice for the Gills as they started the season with a win.

Winger Myles Weston – making his Gills debut - was also on the scoresheet for Martin Allen’s side as they kicked off their League 2 season with victory at home to Bradford.

Gillingham took a slender lead with them into the break after Kedwell’s 44 minute goal had separated the sides in the opening 45 minutes.

Kedwell struck again shortly after the break, from the spot, to give the Gills a 2-0 lead but Bradford hit-back on 62 minutes with a successfully struck penalty of their own from Nahki Wells.

Bradford had several chances to level but were unable to find the target and Weston struck to make it 3-1 to the Gills with two minutes left.

Allen’s Gills had been twice denied before the opening goal by superb saves from visiting keeper Matt Duke. He first made a diving save to deny Andy Frampton’s headed effort after just nine minutes and late in the first half palmed away Danny Jackman’s shot.

Bradford’s main dangerman was winger Kyel Reid and the former Charlton player was looking to take on all-comers. A shove in the box from Charlie Allen on Reid prompted vigorous protests from Bradford but referee Mick Russell waved away the protests.

Allen was the man to unlock Bradford’s defence as the half almost came to a close. His ball over the top of the visiting defence found Kedwell and the Gills striker, from an acute angle, sent a delicate lob over the keeper and into the far corner, making it two goals in two games for the number nine.

The visitors had posed their own problems but home keeper Stuart Nelson had nothing but routine saves to make. Frampton headed clear one dangerous ball into the box as Reid crossed in.

With nine second half minutes played the Gills doubled their advantage as Kedwell struck from the penalty spot. Bradford’s Will Atkinson was the guilty man as he tripped Charlie Lee in the box.

Bradford captain Gary Jones sent a dipping free-kick narrowly over at the other end as both teams made changes to their personnel just before the hour mark.

It was City substitute Wells who halved the deficit, with a converted spot-kick of his own, after Andy Frampton had fouled him in the area.

There were nervy moments to follow for the Gills. James Hanson shot narrowly wide and Zavon Hines cut in from an angle but couldn’t find the target. Jones also put a good chance over as Bradford put the pressure on.

Any fears were settled when Weston – on as a second half substitute - picked up a loose ball, drove at the defence, and planted the ball into the bottom corner past the keeper.

It could have been four for the Gills in stoppage time but Bradley Dack’s shot bounced off the foot of the post.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Flanagan, Frampton, Jackman (Dack 84mins), Allen, Montrose (Payne 55mins), Lee, Kedwell, Burton (Weston 58mins). Subs not used: Strevens, Davies, Forecast, Barrett.

Bradford: Duke, Darby (Davies 84mins), Meredith, Oliver, Reid, Hanson, Thompson (Hines 58mins), Atkinson, Connell (Wells 58mins), Jones, McArdle. Subs not used: McLaughlin, Hannah, McHugh, Doyle.

Attendance: 5,107