Cambridge maintain promotion charge with big win over Gillingham

Gillingham conceded five for the second time in five days as they were crushed 5-0 at promotion-chasing Cambridge.

It took under two minutes for the Gills to go behind. A free-kick was nodded back across by James Gibbons and kept alive by Louis Appere, allowing Dom Ball to fire in.

Appere was denied by onrushing keeper Glenn Morris, then on 27 minutes Appere crossed for Liam Bennett, whose header was cleared under the bar by Lenni Cirino.

A deserved second goal came nine minutes before half time when Sullay Kaikai’s corner fell to Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, whose shot was helped in by Appere.

Ben Knight fired wide when through on goal, but a third Cambridge goal did arrive five minutes after the break when Kaikai drove forward and his ball into the box was turned in for a Cirino own goal.

Ball slipped in Kaikai, who dinked home to make it 4-0 with 36 minutes still to play, before Shayne Lavery’s exquisite curled finish capped a dominant afternoon for the U’s in added time.