A double from Paul Peschisoldio fired Fulham to a comfortable win over Gillingham at Craven Cottage this evening.
The Canadian international, the first big-money signing of the Ray Wilkins era earlier this season, is swiftly repaying Fulham’s most expensive transfer fee. His predatory instincts helped the hosts break the deadlock after just ten minutes when he scored his fourth goal for the Whites at the second attempt – firing past former Fulham goalkeeper Jim Stannard after being found by a floated cross from Neil Smith. Gillingham’s cause was not helped by the sending off of midfielder Mick Galloway for a second yellow card six minutes before the break.
Former Gills trainee Paul Watson came back to haunt his former employers by doubling the lead on the hour when Peschisolido turned provider. The full back hammered home a sweet volley at the far post from a delicious cross before Peschisolido rounded off the scoring with his second of the evening five minutes from time. Rob Scott seized on a dreadful crossfield ball to work a pair of one-twos with the former West Bromwich Albion forward, who rolled a lovely finish into the bottom corner from ten yards out.
FULHAM: Taylor; Lawrence, Blake, Cullip; Watson, Herrera, Bracewell, Smith, N. Carpenter; Scott, Peschisolido. Subs (not used): Aggrey, Thomas, Hayward.
BOOKED: Blake.
GOALS: Peschisolido (10, 85), Watson (60).
GILLINGHAM: Stannard; Ashby, Patterson, Butters, Bryant (Radcliffe 46); P. Smith, Hessenthaler, Galloway, Bailey; Akinbiyi, Onoura (Butler 64). Subs (not used): Fortune-West.
BOOKED: Akinbiyi, Galloway, Hessenthaler, Onoura.
SENT OFF: Galloway.
REFEREE: Rob Harris (Loughborough).
ATTENDANCE: 8,274.
