Repka ruins Brooking's summer affair

Gillingham 2 West Ham United

Trevor Brooking is not the sort of man to seek scapegoats but if he was looking for culprits in this, his first defeat in eight matches as West Ham's manager, he would not have far to look.

His Czech defender, Tomas Repka, should shoulder most of the blame for giving away the free-kick that led to Gillingham's first goal, but Jermain Defoe was also at fault when he was sent off 10 minutes from time for dissent. A duly weakened West Ham side then conceded a soft second goal two minutes later scored by Trevor Benjamin.

An annoyed Brooking later said: "Two moments of indiscipline cost us dear. I let everyone know what I thought and a repeat won't be acceptable. We cannot afford days like this."

On an afternoon blessed with beautiful sunshine, the football was sadly nothing like as stunning for a packed Priestfield Stadium. In a scrappy but even first half neither side created much beyond the occasional slim chance.

"There's only one Trevor Brooking," cried the visiting supporters, but the Hammers faithful now know they only have a month left to sing that particular song. That is because Alan Pardew, who recently resigned as Reading manager, steps into Brooking's shoes then after a little "gardening leave". Brooking himself has been West Ham's caretaker since the fourth game of the season when he replaced Glenn Roeder.

Brooking has enjoyed an almost perfect record, both last season when he replaced the ill Roeder and for his longer appointment this term. However, this match failed to produce the flair that has characterised West Ham's recent performances and swiftly became a war of attrition.

Gillingham's player-manager, Andy Hessenthaler, has had an interesting time himself recently. The midfielder was sent off in his capacity as manager last week in a 5-0 drubbing at Cardiff, before coming on as a substiutute only to be booked.

This time he chose to start on the pitch and had his side's best chance of the first half. With 32 minutes gone David James fumbled a cross into West Ham's six-yard box and faced with an empty net Hessenthaler volleyed over from 10 yards. At the other end West Ham's best chance saw David Connolly turn and shoot with 21 minutes gone, but his effort was well saved by Jason Brown.

Gillingham came out the brighter of the two teams after the interval and that was despite losing Hessenthaler, their most creative influence. He was replaced by David Perpetuini to cover more ground. West Ham were unchanged, but devoid of any inspiration at all and with one defensive mistake the visitors were behind.

With 57 minutes gone Repka committed a foul and then complained to the referee, conceding an extra 10 yards for dissent. From the free-kick Marlon King curled the ball around the wall. Repka nearly saw Mamady Sidibe get the second when he let his striker run on side, but he managed to clear up.

Benjamin had not been on long as a substitute when he dribbled into the area and saw his left-foot shot take enough of a deflection to beat James at his near post.

Gillingham 2 West Ham United 0
King 57, Benjamin 82

Half-time 0-0 Attendance: 11,418