Chris Whelpdale sinks Gillingham as Stevenage win 3-0
Saturday 7 November 2015 17:22, UK
Former Gillingham midfielder Chris Whelpdale helped see off his former side as League Two strugglers Stevenage eased into the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-0 victory.
After Ben Kennedy had come close with a curling effort, Steven Schumacher fired home the opener from 20 yards following a well-worked short corner.
Stevenage, who started the day 42 places below their rivals in the League pyramid, doubled their advantage after 29 minutes when ex-Gills star Whelpdale headed through a crowded penalty area from Dean Parrett's deep corner.
Boro, who have reached at least the fourth round of the cup in three of the previous five seasons, came close to a third on the hour when Kennedy's low effort was cleared off the line by Gillingham defender Ryan Jackson.
On-loan striker Armand Gnanduillet shot wide in the final minute of normal time after the hosts broke from a quick throw, but completed the rout a minute later having gone through on goal with team-mate Tom Conlon.
The Gills, who have not progressed to round two since the 2012-13 season, threatened when Cody McDonald shot low on the turn at Boro goalkeeper Jesse Joronen after half an hour.
Rory Donnelly's close-range shot was brilliantly saved by substitute goalkeeper Chris Day, who had replaced the injured Joronen less than five minutes earlier, and Emmanuel Osadebe hit the crossbar in stoppage time.
