In a game played at a cautious and slightly subdued pace at times, a first-half strike from man-of-the-match Ronald a tap-in from substitute Liam Cullen and a stoppage-time strike from Azeem Abdulai would prove to be enough to send Luke Williams’ side into round two of the competition.
Oliver Hawkins header three minutes from time gave the visitors hope but it would be scant consolation for Gillingham who would be second best and end the game with 10 men having seen Euan Williams dismissed for a reckless challenge.
The Swans had come into the game looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-0 opening day EFL Championship defeat to Middlesbrough just three days ago.
In their way stood a Gillingham side positioned two tiers lower in the Football League pyramid searching for a significant scalp after a strong opening day 4-1 victory over Carlisle.
Despite making six changes, Swans head coach Williams would name a strong side with full debuts handed to Slovenian striker Žan Vipotnik and Indonesian full back Nathan Tjoe-A-On. Both Brazilian winger Ronald and Ollie Cooper returned to start after featuring off the bench, whilst experienced defenders Kyle Naughton and Kristian Pederson would be brought into the backline.
On a sticky and wet evening in south Wales, it would be the home side who would have the better of the opening stages. Ronald finding space on the left-hand side to feed the overlapping run of Cooper who would bring a smart stop out of visiting goalkeeper Glen Morris.
Ronald would be the instigator once again moments later. The Gills would leave the Brazilian with plenty of room to play an inch-perfect in-swinging cross into the far post which found Vipotnik. The former Bordeaux striker racing in though would only be able to fire over the bar from close range.
It would be the Brazilian himself who would be the next to sting the palms of Morris. This time linking with Tjoe-A-On in a similar position before blasting an effort from an acute angle. The 40-year-old veteran would stand his ground, however, to pound the effort to safety.
With Williams’ side dominant in possession it would be no surprise that the Swans would open the evening’s scoring midway through the first half. Ronald would be picked out on the left in space before beating a man, cutting inside onto his right foot before bending a curling effort past Morris into the bottom corner.
With the Swans dominant but not quite producing a cutting-edge in the final third, the half would peter out into a procession to the break with just the one goal in the tie.
Any thoughts of a comeback were swiftly ended just after the restart with the Gills finding themselves not only a goal but a man down too. Midfielder Williams shown a straight red by referee David Rock for a overzealous challenge on Naughton leaving the Swans man writhing in pain.
The Swans would then wrap up the victory and their passage into round two with a decisive second midway through the half. Substitute Cullen slotting home from clos-range from Josh Key’s low teasing cross from the right.
The scoreline could have been extended further with Abdulai, Cullen and Eom all going close in the closing stages.
It would be though the Gills who would be the ones to get themselves on the scoresheet next as the Swans defense would lose concentration in the final minutes. Hawkins ghosting in at the back post to head home Robbie McKenzie’s left-wing cross.
Abdulai would tap in Eom’s cross with the last kick of the game to restore the Swans two goal advantage with the game ending in positive fashion with boss Williams no doubt pleased to progress and more importantly remain unscathed of injuries ahead of Saturday’s first home league encounter of the season against Preston North End.
Swansea City X1
Lawrence Vigouroux, Nathan Tjoe-A-On (Josh Tymon 66), Kyle Naughton (Josh Key 66), Kristian Pederson, Ben Cabango, Matt Grimes (captain), Jay Fulton, Ollie Cooper (Gonçalo Franco 72), Azeem Abdulai, Ronald (Ji-Sung Eon 72), Žan Vipotnik (Liam Cullen 66).
Gillingham X1
Glenn Morris, Alex Giles, Max Clark (Oliver Hawkins 45), Max Ehmer (captain), Shadrach Ogie, Robbie McKenzie, Jayden Clarke (Jacob Wakeling 77), Euan Williams, Jonny Williams (George Lapsilie 59), Jack Nolan (Aaron Rowe 45), Joseph Gbode (Marcus Wyllie 66).
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
