Gills hit poor Bulls for six

Gillingham swept past Hereford with two early goals from Frank Nouble and Garry Richards to set up a resounding 6-1 victory.

Nouble, who joined Gillingham from West Ham on Friday, scored the first in the 18th minute when he dispossessed Ryan Green to score from close range. Gillingham struck again six minutes later when Richards headed home a cross from Danny Jackman over the head of goalkeeper Dave Cornell into the roof of the net. Hereford however were unlucky in the 35th minute when midfielder Harry Pell spotted Gillingham goalkeeper Ross Flitney off his line but his 20-yard lob dropped inches wide of the target. Gillingham struck again five minutes before the break when a cross from Charlie Lee was turned into his own net by full-back Joe Heath. Two minutes into the second half Gillingham snapped up their fourth when Jackman drilled a 25-yard shot into the top right-hand corner of the net. The Gills continued to push forward with Barry Fuller shooting wide from 20 yards but in a rare counterattack Hereford's Sam Winnall headed a cross from Simon Clist over the crossbar. Hereford were also awarded a penalty in the 63rd minute when Harry Powell was brought down by Andy Frampton but midfielder Rob Purdie lashed the spot-kick against the crossbar. Gillingham however continued to push forward and snapped up their fifth in the 80th minute with a low drive from over 20 yards from Chris Whelpdale who beat goalkeeper Cornell. Three minutes later, substitute Stefan Payne added Gillingham's sixth with a low drive from 25 yards but with two minutes remaining Hereford striker Winnall lashed home a 25-yard free-kick for a consolation goal for the Bulls.