Ebbsfleet United vs Gillingham

Tabares' departure inside 18 minutes disrupted Gillingham's shape but ultimately proved decisive. His replacement, Harry Webster, was involved in the build-up to Theodore's equaliser, and Gillingham grew into the game from that point. Bonner's half-time substitution — introducing second-year scholar Raif Jones for the returning-from-injury Ethan Coleman — added fresh legs in midfield as Gillingham seized control.

• Olly Box (Ebbsfleet): The Fleet's summer signing looked sharp again, taking his pre-season tally to three goals with a poacher's finish. His movement off the shoulder caused problems all evening.
• Damien Theodore (Gillingham): Took his goal clinically and was a constant outlet down the right flank, linking well with Brophy and Webster.
• Nelson Khumbeni (Gillingham): The centre-back popped up with the winner from a set-piece situation, showing the aerial threat Gillingham will rely on in League Two this season.
• James Brophy (Gillingham): Provided the assist for the winner and was involved in the build-up to the equaliser. Gillingham's most creative outlet on the night.

Player of the match: James Brophy — directly involved in both Gillingham goals.

The match produced three goals from a combined 10 pre-season games for Ebbsfleet — this was their 10th friendly. Gillingham split their squad in two for the day, with a separate XI playing Ipswich Town U21s behind closed doors at Priestfield earlier on Friday. That meant senior figures Robbie McKenzie, Ronan Hale, Will Goodwin, Liam Gordon and Kadeem Harris were absent from the Stonebridge Road fixture, which partly explains Gillingham's slow start before their second-half improvement.

Gillingham ended their pre-season schedule with a win, taking Bonner's summer signings to nine including Nick Freeman and Sam Tabares who both started. The Gills open their competitive season with a League Cup first-round home tie against Luton Town. Bradley Dack, Garath McCleary, Armani Little, Cameron Antwi and goalkeeper Ollie Wright remained injured and will be monitored ahead of that fixture.

Ebbsfleet begin their National South campaign next Saturday away at Slough Town. The club's preparations have been overshadowed by the recent rejection of their stadium development plans for the Northfleet Harbourside project.

Attendance: 1,102

A routine pre-season comeback win for Gillingham, who shook off a disjointed first half to assert their League Two quality after the break. Ebbsfleet competed well for long spells — Box's goal was well-taken — but the gulf in depth showed once Gillingham made their rotations. Bonner will take more encouragement from the second-half response than the opening 45 minutes.