Chris Whelpdale helps Stevenage to cup success against his former club
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.
Source: PA
