Charlton Athletic 3 Gillingham 0

Match 124/16/1431 - Monday, 17th April 2017 - League One

Charlton Athletic (2) 3 Pearce 20 Holmes 31 Mageness 54
Gillingham (0) 0
Attendance: 12,449

Entrance: £20 Senior
Programme: £3
Mileage: 82/8,475

Match Report

An Easter Monday afternoon that began with a large Gillingham following amounting to over 2,000 fans buoyed by Saturday's win against Bristol Rovers ended with abusive songs being sung at their own team and ugly confrontations with a player.

Gillingham won't go down, almost unbelievably there are four teams who, if they are not worse, are in a more parlous position than the Kent side. Famous last words, with that horrible afternoon at Wycombe in 2010 serving as a powerful reminder that the worst can happen and with Justin Edinburgh waiting to inflict revenge on his former employer.

Simply put, Gillingham cannot defend and that is the principle reason why they are in the position they are. In the opening 20 minutes of this game they were more than the equal of their south London hosts, but abject defending saw Jason Pearce score with a free header inside the six yard box following a corner from Ricky Holmes, the best player on the pitch.

Ten minutes later, with a free kick conceded on the edge of the box, Holmes' shot found its way through the wall and between the diving Tomas Holy and his right hand post leaving the Gills with an uphill task that was never going to be completed.

The ineffectual Bournemouth loan pair of Joe Quigley snd Harry Connick were replaced during the break but when, early in the second half, the Gillingham defence was cut to shreds leaving Josh Mageness to sweep the ball home from close range there was to be no comeback and the Gillingham support quickly turned against their team.

Nobody likes to hear abuse being heaped on their own team, but the supporters frustration is easily understood. This has been a dire season with the change in managership not supplying the usual new regime bounce. Too many players are just not good enough with others that might have the necessary quality not playing for this manager or the last.

In my humble opinion, whether Pennock retains the job or not, the coach next season should be handed a blank sheet of paper and told to start again. Josh Wright, who is undoubtedly the player of the season, is being sought by higher level clubs and, if we learn anything from the Bradley Dack scenario, it is that heads get turned. As for Dack, he can go and sulk somewhere else.

I've never been as close as I am now to not renewing my season ticket. Two games remain for my enthusiasm to be rekindled sufficiently to hand over my money.

Charlton Athletic 2 Gillingham 2

Match 53/09/805 - Saturday, 20th March 2010 - League One

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.