The only disappointment is that a series of poor finishes in front of goal kept the score down to a respectable 2-0 when it really should have been much more. Tony Pulis did as expected, reverting to a more attacking line-up with Lewis Neal returning to the side on the left wing. Chris Barker was given the nod at left back ahead of Marcus Hall who did not even make the bench.
The Gills on the other hand lined up in an adventurous 4-3-3 formation with the significant threat of Iwan Roberts, Darren Byfield and Patrick Agyemang facing up to the City defence. Player manager Andy Hessenthaler took his place in midfield and ex Potter Steve Banks made yet another appearance against his former club after a total of five last season.
It did not take long for City to get into their rhythm and they could have been in front before a minute had passed through Wayne Thomas. A free kick into the area was well met by Thomas and he powered a header goalwards only to see the ball cleared off the line. This set the trend for the match as Stoke piled forward in search of an early goal.
Half chances all came and went through two Clive Clarke free kicks and efforts from Lewis Neal and Darel Russell before John Halls had the best chance of the match to break the deadlock. Some neat interchanges allowed him to break into the area but as his first goal for the club looked imminent, he suffered from a rush of blood and scuffed the ball over the bar.
Gifton Noel-Williams was then presented with a wonderful chance for his first of the season after superb play by Chris Barker. It has often been commented that Hall offers little threat going forward but on this occasion Barker made great inroads and laid on Noel-Williams inside the area only to see him shoot first time at Banks when he had time to control and pick his spot. In fact he probably had time to make a cup of tea whilst he was waiting but it turned out to be another chance missed.
Thankfully he didn't have to wait long to make amends, putting us in the lead just before the interval. A great move started with Russell laying on Akinbiyi who dummied for Noel-Williams. He then laid the ball back to Ade who unselfishly passed straight back for an unmissable chance.
The home crowd were relieved to see the 1-0 scoreline at half time as it looked increasingly like we would remain frustrated as more and more chances went begging. As it transpired Noel-Williams could actually have had another even before half time but was unfortunate to roll the ball just wide of the far post after being left all alone by a daydreaming Gills defence.
The Gills made a substitute during the interval reverting to a 4-4-2 and they would surely cause more of a threat during the second half. However, although the first half supremecy was not quite matched, the Potters continued their dominance during the second half.
Akinbiyi somehow wriggled past a defender inside the area to give himself a shooting chance but Banks was equal to his shot and saved well with his feet after 70 minutes. However,just two minutes later he did find the back of the net with another goal of great quality. Noel-Williams this time made the assist, putting Ade through for a one-on-one opportunity. He oozes confidence in this situation and it was little suprise when he curled his shot into the far corner of the net for the clinching goal.
More half chances did come for both sides to be fair but its no exaggeration to say that this was one of the most convincing 2-0 performances you're ever likely to see. The only worry is that better teams than Gillingham will punish City if they continue to miss chances like this.
However, it would be wrong to criticise such a performance and if a cutting edge can just be acquired, there is nothing to stop the Potters from keeping their current lofty 4th place come the end of the season.