Charlton Athletic (1) 2 Richardson 31, Mooney 60
Gillingham (2) 2 Barcham 32, Oli 45
Att. 20,024
Entrance: £25
Programme: £3
Mileage: 80/6,195
Match Report
The celebrations were a trifle OTT, after all no Cup Final had been won, no promotion gained, no relegation avoided, we hadn’t even won the match, but Gillingham’s magnificent following at the Valley milked the moment for all it was worth as their favourite’s display of resilience gained an unlikely reward.Both sides’ supporters showed how much these “derby” matches mean to them. For Gillingham fans these are the games that they desperately want to win and not only for the points that are put on the board, for the likes of Charlton, their fans gave the impression that this was just another match to win against just another League One club.
Whilst the away support rallied their troops for 90 minutes and beyond, the home crowd watched on with a passion bordering on apathy. Perhaps they had similar thoughts to many of the visiting supporters, the game would be won, it was just a question of how many they would win by.
Simeon Jackson was not risked and started the game from the bench, furthering negative thoughts about the outcome.
Gillingham contested the opening forays and had an early chance when Rene Howe put a header narrowly the wrong side of the post when it appeared easier to score. Referee Paul Taylor, a crowd favourite (not) at Priestfield, made his first irritating decision of the afternoon when he booked Dennis Oli for deliberate hand ball, a debateable decision in itself.
Alan Julian had a curate egg’s type of performance during the first half. Hesitancy had been combined with some outstanding saves, but a 31st minute shot from Frazer Richardson that slipped under the keeper’s diving body will not make for happy viewing when the video is replayed.
But it was symptomatic of Gillingham’s display of resilience that they bounced back immediately. Andy Barcham cut in from the right hand side and unleashed a spectacular 25 yard shot that had Rob Elliott clutching at fresh air.The 3,000 visiting fans’ joy was heightened into ecstasy as Gillingham took the lead in the time added at the end of the first half. Elliott failed to hold an innocuous Howe shot and Oli was on hand to poach the goal. It was to be Elliott’s last act between the sticks as he was replaced at half time probably suffering from embarrassment.
The second half was a much different story. Gillingham were under pressure from the outset and when David Mooney swiftly turned and shot past Julian from 10 yards on the hour it was hard not to believe that the writing was on the wall for the Blues.
The rearguard action that followed was like a scene from the Alamo. The defending from Garry Richards, and in particular, Darren Dennehy was absolutely magnificent. Referee Taylor did his best to help the home side towards the points, no more so than when he opened a clear route to goal by colliding with Adam Miller.
A handball on the edge of the box by Barcham caused every one of the massed ranks a collective holding of breath that was relieved as Nicky Bailey sailed his shot over the bar.
As the final whistle sounded, joyous chanting of “We are staying up” ensued. There is a lot of water to flow below that particular bridge before we can breathe easily. But on today’s evidence the battle can be won and will be won with everybody pulling together.
South London’s moaning minnies on the train back, portrayed exactly why they are no longer the automatic promotion certainties they thought they were. Take this Division and its clubs for granted and it is going to come back and bite you on the bum.
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