- The last time the Gills started a season with an EFL Cup game was in 2012/13 when they beat Bristol City away from home. It was the season the Gills won the League 2 championship.
- The Gills are unbeaten in the opening game of their last 5 seasons (3 wins) and the last 4 have all been away from home. When starting at home, the Gills have won 1 and lost 1 of the previous 2 but won 5 and drew 1 of the 6 before them.
- The Gills last won a home first round EFL Cup match back in 2009 (Plymouth). Only 2 home matches in the first round followed: a 0-2 defeat to Bristol City in 2013 and a defeat on penalties last season after a draw against Newport.
- The Gills have faced lower league opposition at home in the first round of the EFL Cup on 16 occasions. 10 games were won whilst 2 were lost: Northampton in 2004 and Reading in 1978 (2-legged tie).
- The Gills have won 38 matches (none in 3 seasons) in the first round of the EFL Cup and lost 37. Only 14 matches have ended level (either as a 2-legged tie or resulting in penalty kicks) including both of the last 2 seasons.
- Southend ended last season with 3 wins in 10 league games however their win on the "final" day of last season came after 6 straight defeats. Those 3 wins were their only wins in 26 league games.
13.00 Kick-Off [ 5 - 3 - 2 ]
13.06
Southend start brightly and stop wing-backs Ogilvie and Jackson getting forward. A shot is blocked on the edge of the box, Bonham dives in response to the shot and ball is prevented from a second shot entering the net by a McKenzie clearance.
13.18
Southend have had 8 attempts at goal to the Gills none. Ogilvie drives into the box and flashes a ball across the face of the goal but just too far away for any touch that would have opened the scoring.
13.25
A Kyle Dempsey free kick to the far post gives Akinde a free header but he somehow heads down and wide. From the goal kick, the Gills come forward and win a corner.
13.26
GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Southend United: Ogilvie
Dempsey's corner falls on to the head of Ogilvie who scores the first goal of the season.
13.41
Gills have a further couple of half chances but its Southend that with the next major shot, drilling a pile-driver across the Rainham End penalty area just wide of the left-hand post.
13.47
2 chances for Akinde. The first saw him wiggle around a couple of players only find an outstretched foot block his shot. Seconds later a cross into the box fell behind him. His back heel failed to make contact which would have made it 2-0.
13.47 Half time 1-0 (48:02)
14.04
The second half kicks off.
14.08
How Oliver has not given the Gills a two-goal lead is a mystery. A Jackson cross falls nicely for the head of Oliver who, if on target, scores however somehow heads a few yards wide.
14.16
Red Card! Ryan Jackson receives a second yellow for pulling down a Southend counter-attack.
14.28
The Gills defence throws their bodies on the line twice to block efforts that would have seriously tested Bonham.
14.32
A Southend free kick cannons off the left hand post. Bonham looks to had it covered.
14.49
A shot straight at Bonham prevents Southend from equalising. Off the ground and it would be difficult to save. 5 additional minutes are added as the Gills get deeper and deeper.
14.52
A fierce Southend shot rattles off the right hand post this time and out for a goal kick.
14.52 FULL TIME 1-0 (98:23)
Attendance: 0 (0)
Referee: Christopher Pollard
Match Highlights: https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/s ... 0-southend
Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53955630