Match report

Gillingham Holds Off Colchester In League Two Draw

Gillingham
Gillingham
1–1
FT
Colchester
Colchester
Dec 29, 2025

Gillingham held off a determined Colchester side at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday evening, ending in a 1-1 draw. The match was characterized by strong defensive play from both teams, with R. McKenzie scoring for Gillingham and A. Read converting a penalty for Colchester to secure the point.

Key Facts

  • • Gillingham: 1 goal (R. McKenzie)
  • • Colchester: 1 goal (A. Read, from the spot)
  • • Key substitutions: S. Vokes and S. Palmer-Houlden for Gillingham; Harry Anderson, J. Payne, M. Mbick for Colchester
  • • Yellow cards: A. Little (Gillingham), Kyreece Lisbie (Colchester)

Lineups

Gillingham

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 25 J. Turner (G)
  • 5 A. Smith (D)
  • 4 C. Masterson (D)
  • 30 S. Gale (D)
  • 2 R. Hutton (M)
  • 14 R. McKenzie (M)
  • 8 A. Little (M)
  • 11 A. Rowe (M)
  • 23 B. Dack (F)
  • 12 S. Palmer-Houlden (F)
  • 19 S. Vokes (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 G. Morris
  • 3 M. Clark
  • 6 E. Coleman
  • 9 J. Andrews
  • 10 J. Williams
  • 20 E. Nevitt
  • 22 S. Ogie

Colchester

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Macey (G)
  • 2 R. Hunt (D)
  • 5 J. Tucker (D)
  • 24 H. Araujo (D)
  • 3 E. Iandolo (D)
  • 16 A. Read (M)
  • 8 T. Bishop (M)
  • 14 K. Lisbie
  • 10 J. Payne (M)
  • 7 H. Anderson (M)
  • 33 M. Mbick (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 T. Smith
  • 9 S. Tovide
  • 15 D. Gape
  • 19 W. Goodwin
  • 21 O. Edwards
  • 30 K. Vincent-Young
  • 40 F. Terry

Timeline

  1. Gillingham
    58' Gillingham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Vokes · On: J. Andrews
  2. Gillingham
    68' Gillingham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: S. Palmer-Houlden · On: Elliott Nevitt
  3. Colchester
    68' Colchester subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Harry Anderson · On: O. Edwards
  4. Gillingham
    74' Gillingham Goal · Normal Goal
    R. McKenzie · Assist: A. Rowe
  5. Colchester
    77' Colchester Card · Yellow Card
    Kyreece Lisbie

    Argument

  6. Colchester
    81' Colchester subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Payne · On: S. Tovide
  7. Colchester
    82' Colchester subst · Substitution 3
    Off: M. Mbick · On: W. Goodwin
  8. Gillingham
    86' Gillingham Card · Yellow Card
    A. Little

    Argument

  9. Colchester
    87' Colchester Goal · Penalty
    A. Read
  10. Colchester
    89' Colchester subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. Lisbie · On: K. Vincent-Young
  11. Gillingham
    90' Gillingham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Masterson · On: E. Coleman
  12. Gillingham
    90' Gillingham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: B. Dack · On: Jonathan Williams

Match Stats

Stat Gillingham Colchester
Fouls 23 13
Pass Accuracy 63% 73%
Offsides 1 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 16 15
Corners 6 5
Total Passes 251 328
Yellow Cards 1 1
Blocked Shots 9 5
Shots on Target 4 5
xG 1.66 1.63
Shots off Target 3 5
Possession 44% 56%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 159 240
Shots Inside Box 12 11
Saves 4 3
Shots Outside Box 4 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ R. McKenzie's goal in the 74th minute gave Gillingham a crucial lead, but Colchester quickly responded through a penalty by A. Read just three minutes later to level the score.
  • ▸ Multiple substitutions on both sides aimed at maintaining momentum, with Gillingham bringing on key players like S. Palmer-Houlden and Colchester making notable changes with J. Payne.