Gillingham 2 Rochdale 1

Match 66/08/750 - Sunday, 10th May 2009 -
League Two Play-off Semi Final 2nd Leg

Gillingham (1) 2 Jackson 13, 58 (pen)
Rochdale (1) 1 Dagnall 38
Att. 9,585

Entrance: £22
Programme: £4
Mileage: 45/8,743

Match Report

It is much easier to write this blog when matters have gone horribly wrong. The words and spaces give an opportunity to vent your spleen, to get it off the chest. Looking back at the away day postings from Shrewsbury and Exeter I used words such as spineless and embarrassing, the words came easy as anger flooded the mind. But the emotion of joy is so much harder to describe.

The two legs shredded the nerves as two teams with a fag paper between them sought to give their respective supporters a Wembley day out. It did not take a Hansen-like sage to predict that this tie could go all the way to penalties, it didn’t, but it took the nerves of steel that supporters no longer possessed for Simeon Jackson to coolly put a spot kick away to ultimately seal their place in the Final. Earlier in the day, Bury with home advantage and a goal lead from the first leg, buckled under the weight of parallel tension as they missed a regular time penalty and then a shoot out to allow Shrewsbury Town to become Gillingham’s opponents on 23 May 2009.

Four times during the second half the stadium announcer made a plea that supporters should stay off the pitch at the end of the game, words that were never going to be heeded as the emotion of joy took hold and a good natured pitch invasion took place. It is possible in the cold light of a couple of days later to have every sympathy with the travelling contingent of Rochdale supporters who took defeat in an exemplary manner. The turned up on a Sunday evening in large numbers relative to their disappointing home attendance in the first leg, they gave their side every encouragement and contributed greatly to the vibrant atmosphere of the night.

The evening began with stirring renditions of Home of the Shouting Men and The Last Waltz before the teams took the field to a crescendo of noise. Priestfield had got itself ready to rumble.

After the couple of early exchanges when the awkward Lee Thorpe was unable to direct a header on target, Gillingham took the lead after 13 minutes. A pacey run from Andy Barcham ended on the bye-line from where he slid a pass inside to Simeon Jackson who guided the ball home from close range with a smart finish. The lid came off the Rainham End as it became a sea of movement.

Another Barcham run had Rochdale defenders struggling in his wake but his failure to pick a pass rather than a shot kept the scoreline at just the single goal. This was changed within a couple of minutes as Dale brought the game back to parity. It was an unfortunate chain of events for the home side. Barry Fuller made a block but the ball rebounded to an unmarked Chris Dagnell. He steadied, cut inside John Nutter and blasted past Simon Royce for what could not be considered an undeserved equaliser.

The goal was, of course, initially greeted with silence, but within seconds Priestfield was responding with another wall of sound to drown out the celebrating visiting support.

Attacking the Rainham End, the second half was to prove there is a lucky 13. After their 13th minute first half goal, in the 13th minute of the second half a surging run from Nutter was ended with a reckless challenge by Rory McArdle. Two seconds seemed like an eternity as eyes focused on referee Michael Oliver, who seemed to consider, reconsider and then his finger pointed to the spot.

While the necessary paperwork was completed, hearts leapt to mouths, memories of Jackson’s penalty miss at Wycombe were rekindled, Bury’s heartbreak from the spot hours earlier, please Jacko please. No such worry, the little man has the bottle when it counts and calmly sends Frank Fielding the wrong way to restore the home side’s lead.

The ensuing half-an-hour might have been made a lot easier to bear had Garry Richards header been inches lower rather than smacking against the bar. Rochdale, now with nothing to lose, through caution to the wind and efforts came from Jones, McArdle and Buckley, all wide and on another day would have seemed not to too close, but in this situation the margin of difference became millimetres. One last corner and keeper Fielding joined the attack but when Simon Royce safely gathered we knew it was over and the Wembley date was ours. Mr Oliver obliged with the whistle and as the Rainham End emptied itself onto the pitch, Coffin Dodgers hugged and shook hands as their blankets tumbled to the ground. Yes, we know how to celebrate in the Gordon Road Stand!

As I said in the opening paragraph, this type of elation is the hardest to describe. I read a Chelsea fan describing winning at Anfield in the Champions League as feeling that something had just exploded inside his head, I think I know what he was trying to say. Momentarily I think there was relief that it was all over before the onset of the undiluted joy that thankfully can still be experienced by a seen-it-all fan of 50 years.

The play-offs were never invented to enjoy and Gillingham fans will testify to that almost as much as those loyal Rochdale people who suffered a second year of heartbreak. For us there is the opportunity to attempt to enjoy our day and should fate look kindly upon us there can be no better place than Wembley to exorcise the memory of 13th September 2008.

Gillingham 0 Bury 0

Match 62/08/746 - Saturday, 25th April 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 0
Bury (0) 0
Att. 8,360

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/8,059

Match Report

So it transpires that should this season end with reward it will have to be done at Wembley Stadium, not such a bad place to celebrate. Experience of playing on a dodgy pitch all winter might prove valuable on a field of dreams supposedly worse than Priestfield.

Gillingham’s hopes of retaining interest in automatic promotion until the last day of season fell short by the width of a post and some resolute defending by their fellow challengers from Greater Manchester, but to adopt a northern phrase, Gillingham gave it “a reet good go”.

Priestfield’s highest attendance of the season, 8,360, did their very best to suck the ball into the net in front of the Rainham End in a second half onslaught from the home side that became ever more frantic as the time ebbed away, but lacked the necessary quality to create a really clear cut chance.

As befitted two teams sitting fourth and fifth in the table, three points apart, there was very little between the two teams in a first half that was absorbing with some early goalmouth action. Andy Barcham and Mark McCammon were comfortably denied by Bury keeper Wayne Brown and the home custodian, Simon Royce was forced into a good one-handed save from Glynn Hurst. Midway through the half, McCammon had a clear heading opportunity but directed his header straight at Brown.

Both sets of supporters eagerly awaited news from Exeter and this proved to be good as visitors Morecambe held a one goal lead at half-time, the automatic gate to League One was still open.

Perhaps buoyed by the news, Bury started the second half with a fresh impetus and from the restart they made their best chance of the game. Andy Bishop, with time and space, directed a free header well wide of the post. It was not the effort of a striker with 16 goals to his credit this season.

Following that sharp intake of breath, the Gillingham fans rose to the challenge and as the noise inside Priestfield rose, so did the attacking intentions of the home side. A John Nutter cross somehow managed to evade everybody when the merest touch from attacker or defender would probably have produced a goal.

Dennis Oli was introduced into the fray for Josh Wright and a chance was made for Simeon Jackson who pulled his shot narrowly wide. On 72 minutes the thickness of the post became the ultimate decider of Gillingham’s end of season destiny. Another Nutter cross was headed back to Stuart Lewis by McCammon, the ginger midfielder volleyed from 20 yards but the ball agonisingly rebounded off the woodwork. It was the closest Gillingham were to come to victory.

Our old friend, Efe Sodje, who enjoyed a mixed reception from the home support, proved too strong for Jackson as the striker attempted to get clear on goal with ten minutes remaining and the deadlock remained unbroken.

Whilst a point was of no use to the home side, Bury will go into next Saturday’s final day hoping that a win over Accrington Stanley will be enough to earn them a place in League One. Meanwhile, Gillingham will travel to nearby Rochdale hoping to gain the point required to avoid a repeat 500-mile round trip to Spotland for a 6.30 p.m. kick off on a Sunday evening. A win over the Lancastrians could have the added bonus of a far less arduous trip to Dagenham and Redbridge, although a repeat of the Boxing Day shambles at Victoria Road would put in serious doubt a visit to the not-so hallowed turf of the national stadium.

Gillingham 2 Dagenham 1

Match 59/08/743 - Monday, 13th April 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 2 McCammon 8, Oli 88
Dagenham and Redbridge (1) 1 Saunders 41
Att. 6,945

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/7,537

Match Report

It is one of those strange quirks of football that following a couple of away performances at top three clubs that have deserved better than the one point that has been obtained, three points are put on the board for a less than fluent display. At this late stage of the campaign it is points that matter and perhaps the little bit of luck that has been missing has arrived at an opportune time.

Following his tenth booking of the season and an impending two match suspension, Adam Miller was dropped to the bench in favour of Charlton loanee Josh Wright. No doubt the official line is that Wright needs to embed himself in the side for those two matches that Miller will be missing, but there is more than a suspicion that the poisonous section of the Gillingham support have won the day and Stimson feels the need to protect his player.

Stuart Lewis was also recalled in preference to Nicky Southall and produced a decent performance that won him the man of the match award.

A bumper Easter crowd, just shy of 7,000 and no doubt boosted by a few freebies courtesy of the Manager’s Challenge, were assembled hoping to see Gillingham getting their promotion challenge back on track after a winless run of four games.

The home side were quick out of the traps and ahead after just eight minutes. John Nutter’s surging run forward ended with a shot that Tony Roberts did well to parry but only into the path of Mark McCammon who fired past the recovering keeper.

Two bizarre pieces of footwork from Simon Royce placed their lead in jeopardy. First a clearance from the Gills’ keeper was blocked by Paul Benson, arguably with his hand, but his shot rolled slowly, agonisingly past the post. Five minutes later, with the same duo involved, Royce was thankful for a second piece of good fortune. A poor back pass from Garry Richards left Royce to kick clear, this time his clearance rebounded off Benson back into his grateful hands. Priestfield joined with the keeper to offer up a prayer of thanks.

The equaliser that had been long coming arrived five minutes from half time. Ben Strevens had time and space to cross to an unmarked Sam Saunders who had the simplest of tap-ins to level the score.

The early part of the second half saw the home side frustrating their support with passes going astray and very little impression being made by the strikers. Midway through the half Dennis Oli was introduced for Wright and with ten minutes remaining Mark Bentley came on for McCammon, and immediately presented Dagenham with a new set of problems. A right wing run set up a chance for Curtis Weston and another for Simeon Jackson as the sands of time were fast slipping away.

With a couple of minutes remaining, a free kick, awarded much to the disgust of the Daggers’ Sam Saunders, was swung in from the right by the left footed John Nutter from which Dennis Oli rose virtually unchallenged to head home a priceless winner for the home side. This was preserved by Simon Royce who turned away a Graeme Montgomery effort in a final heart stopping moment.

Three vital points on an Easter Monday that saw several of the contenders fail to win. An automatic promotion place still seems unlikely but a play-off spot is looking ever more likely. More often than not it is the team with momentum going into the play-offs that win the prize, could it be that the momentum has just swung back to the Kent side?

Gillingham 0 Barnet 2

Match 56/08/740 - Saturday, 4th April 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 0
Barnet (1) 2 Furlong 23, O'Flynn 53 (pen)
Att. 6,033

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/7,270

Match Report

At this stage of the season the BBC Predictor becomes a bit of an addiction as supporters attempt to foresee their future destinies, nobody saw this one coming. This was supposed to be the easiest of the remaining fixtures against a side that has stared relegation in the face for much of the season, but Gillingham slumped to a two goal defeat in front of an expectant attendance of over 6,000.

Last week’s fine performance at Brentford was firmly despatched to the history folder as the home side produced a display that was polar opposites of their previous outing.

There was much scratching of heads as the team showed a couple of changes from the starting line up at Griffin Park. Why change it after a good performance when it was left to the same players to fix it after a bad day at Grimsby? Of course, the majority of supporters are not privy to what has gone on in training during the week, who has picked up injuries or illnesses and Mark Stimson was quick to defend his decisions on Radio Kent with the explanation that Adam Miller had only trained for half-an-hour this week, but it is common knowledge that he has been playing with a hernia for weeks, so why choose today to rest him? Likewise, Stimson bemoaned the lack of a fully fit Mark McCammon, now he has him and when his partnership with Simeon Jackson is beginning to show signs of coming together, he drops him to the bench. We can only ask why and when there is a reaction from the disappointed support, Stimson reacts as if to say “what the hell do you lot know”?

Another excuse was made for the totally baffling withdrawal of Andy Barcham, once again it was injury, but the player himself looked less than pleased to be substituted, especially by a centre half being thrown forward. When Barcham was promptly named man of the match, you had to laugh because the alternatives were tears or rage.

I’ve largely supported Mark Stimson when sections of the crowd have not, but today’s horror show can be partly laid at his door and his team selection. Don’t come on the radio and have a go at supporters, take a hard look at your own decisions, because today they did not stack up.

The game was scrappy from the outset on a drying pitch that was not helpful. Barnet made the early running as Gillingham wasted possession with careless abandon. The veteran Paul Furlong gave the home side a warning shot across the bows as he shot wide in the 13th minute before heading home ten minutes later. Debutee Josh Wright gave the ball away; John Nutter failed to get close to John O’Flynn who crossed for Furlong to score with ease. If this was the wake-up call required, Gillingham failed to answer and were lucky not to go in further behind as a Nicky Deverdics strike cleared the bar.

With news from elsewhere encouraging at half-time, surely Gillingham would improve significantly after the break, sadly the answer was an emphatic no. In the 50th minute a shot from Nutter, comfortably saved by Jake Cole, was the first on target for the Gills, before Mark Bentley clumsily brought Furlong down in the box with the resultant penalty converted by O’Flynn to double the deficit.

McCammon was introduced at the expense of Dennis Oli and although he enlivened the flagging home side he also wasted the best chance when he shot wide following good work from Barcham. Five minutes injury time would normally be seen as a lifeline in these circumstances, but today it was almost sadistic persecution of those wearing the blue and white colours.

I like many others must learn a lesson from today. If I was any good at predicting the results of football matches, I would have taken a bucket-load of cash from the bookies every Saturday, I haven’t, so give the Predictor the elbow.

Gillingham 2 Shrewsbury Town 2

Match 51/08/735 - Saturday, 14th March 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 2 Weston 3, Southall 51
Shrewsbury Town (0) 2 Holt 79 (pen), 90
Att. 6,023

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/6,635

Match Report

I thought my days of mood being altered by the result of a football match were long since gone, but leaving Priestfield yesterday, I was, to use the modern vernacular, gutted. Whether I had built this match in my own mind to be bigger than it actually was, time will tell, but I had seen it as the most important of the season so far, the opportunity to go a long way towards eliminating one of the contenders for the play-off positions and, of course, there was the little matter of revenge. Two goals up going into the last quarter-hour, Gillingham were heading into the automatic places and then they blew it, or did they?

Saturday night, a few beers and some live music did its best to lift the mood and in the cold light of reflection and through the slight haze of a hangover, came the realisation that despite having had the lead, this was a game which could so easily have been lost had we not had a goalkeeper performing at the top of his game.

Gillingham could not have wished for a better start, a loose clearance fell to Curtis Weston who drove into the top corner from 25 yards to the delight of the Rainham End, honouring Mark Stimson’s request for more noise.

The fans continued in good voice for much of the first half, hugely encouraged by the attacking endeavours of the home side, which produced further chances for Mark McCammon and Nicky Southall, before on the stroke of half time, Simon Royce was called upon to make the first of his blinding saves from a Ben Davies free kick.

Quick into their stride in the second half, Gillingham doubled their advantage on 51 minutes when Simeon Jackson robbed the dithering Kelvin Langmead and back heeled into the path of Southall, who finished well. As Shrews keeper Luke Daniels was further pressed into action by McCammon, hopes were rising that the revenge could indeed be quite emphatic. But a further jolt of reality came from McCammon’s old mucker, Moses Ashikodi, who hit the bar when it was easier to score and Royce once again came off best in his contest with Ben Davies. But the writing was being firmly painted on the wall.

Shrewsbury’s way back into the game came with the aid of controversial penalty award. Barry Fuller was adjudged to have illegally shouldered Ashikodi as he ran through on goal and from the resultant twice-taken penalty, Grant Holt kept his nerve to half the deficit.

Tension gripped as Shrewsbury turned the screw and as the clock ticked into the final minute of normal time, Holt, the Division’s striker of true quality, got his head on the end of a right wing cross from the pacy substitute Chris Humphrey. The disappointment was palpable, but this could so easily have turned to despair as Holt was thwarted by the superb Royce in the final act of the afternoon.

Two points lost, one won, in football it is an age-old question. Time may well have changed the answer to that question on this occasion, at 5 o’clock the glass was most definitely half empty, this morning it was half full and I’m hopeful that it wasn’t just the beer from the glass that is doing the talking.

Gillingham 1 Darlington 0

Match 50/08/734 - Tuesday, 10th March 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Jackson 90 (pen)
Darlington (0) 0
Att. 4,730

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/6,590

Match Report

Buckle up your seats, folks. Fellow coffin dodgers in the Gordon Road Stand, stow away your thermos flasks safely under the seat, because at 21.36 last night we officially entered the time of season less than affectionately known as Squeaky-bum time.

After 93 frustrating minutes, Darlington defender Alan White’s hand instinctively controlled a bounce and Simeon Jackson was given the chance to win the game from the penalty spot. While all around Priestfield lower region cheeks became clenched, Jackson was calmness personified as he sent the Darlo keeper, Andy Oakes the wrong way to bury his shot into the bottom left hand side, to cue delight and relief in equal measures.

The collective holding of breath should not have been necessary as Gillingham dominated the second half, had the ball in net only for the referee to bring the game back to award Gillingham a free kick and for the ultimate hero Jackson to produce an air shot directly in front of goal only a minute from time.

Gillingham started the game like a train, Adam Miller bursting into the box but his effort was blocked away for a corner, the first of a series before the early steam ran out. Darlington then stepped into the game and Simon Royce needed to be at his best to palm away a really good effort from Ryan Valentine. Adam Griffin blazed high towards the 50 or so Darlo fans huddled together in the Brian Moore Stand and a couple of other half-chances passed them by. In the midst of this spell, Curtis Weston fired just wide a good effort from 25 yards out.

Referee Steve Bratt, unfortunately, because I felt he was one of the better officials seen this season, became centre stage on 55 minutes when he disallowed Mark McCammon’s goal. It is more annoying that the game is called back to award the scoring side a free kick, but in fairness to Mr Bratt, the whistle had sounded before the big striker beat keeper Oakes.

Andy Barcham came off the bench on the hour, returning from injury to breathe new life into the Gillingham cause and he quickly produced a chance for Nicky Southall who shot wildly over when a cross seemed a much better option.

It was Barcham again who produced the last minute chance for Jackson, who inexplicably failed to make a connection when in front of goal from just five yards or so. It seemed that the night was going to end in disappointment until White’s hand intervened and Jackson’s nerve held.

After the final whistle had sounded, further encouragement was added with news of defeats for Exeter and Bradford lifting the Gills two places up the table and just a point off the automatic places. Another nervous Saturday beckons with the visit of Shrewsbury, where a win would put Gillingham six points clear off the Shrews, the team presently on the outside of the play-off places. If your heart felt it was leaping clear of your mouth whilst Jackson prepared last night, be prepared, because worse is yet to come!

Gillingham 1 AFC Bournemouth 0

Match 47/08/731 - Saturday, 28th February 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Southall 58
AFC Bournemouth (0) 0
Att. 5,353

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/5,530

Match Report

Gillingham emerged from this turgid encounter with the points and a re-entry into the division’s play-off spots. But if it looked hard work for the players in the spring-like sunshine, then it was just as difficult viewing for the paying customer.

The first half was a complete nightmare. It took Gillingham fully 20 minutes just to carry the ball over the half-way line, just a few aimless punts forward had taken the ball into opposition territory. Relegation-threatened, points deducted Bournemouth enjoyed the vast majority of the possession in this time, but they failed to test Simon Royce. A Mark Bentley header was comfortably held by keeper Shwan Jalal, but at least it showed a modicum of intent. The half continued in much the same vein, Bournemouth controlling most of the ball, but the couple of easily held efforts on goal came from Gillingham, until Simon Royce was forced into the only meaningful save of the half when he palmed away a Molesley shot.

The whistle relieved the supporters of the drudgery giving them the excitement of a Madness record and the 50/50 draw to look forward to, such was the paucity of the entertainment. Talk at half time centred around as to why Mark Stimson was choosing to play (a) so narrow, (b) Rene Steer at all, and (c) whether he would have the courage to admit he was wrong on both counts and change it immediately. No, was the answer to (c).

But, in fairness to Stimson, he at least decided early that enough was enough and as if to prove all those that had made those comments during the break correct, instant dividends were paid. The hapless Steer was replaced by John Nutter and Simeon Jackson replaced Adam Miller, much to the pleasure of the Miller baiters. Within three minutes of the 55th minute substitutions, Jackson chased a ball down the right hand side and passed across the face of the goal where there was nobody in a central position. Andy Barcham managed to keep the ball in play on the left hand side and went past a couple of defenders on the bye-line to pass the ball back to Nicky Southall who side-footed home. It was an excellent bit of work from Barcham, who caused us to hold our breath later on when he received attention and hobbled for the closing minutes. Such is Barcham’s form that he would be one of the biggest losses should we lose him for any length of time in the run-in.

Gillingham had much better possession for the rest of the game. They seemed more balanced with Nutter and Barcham adding a bit of width to the left hand side and Fuller making good ground on the right. The game wound itself down with a series of niggling challenges from Bournemouth that necessitated the Gillingham physio onto the pitch on four occasions.

Seven goals in the previous two matches might give Stimson justification for his employment of the 4-3-3 formation and the inclusion of Mark McCammon naturally leads to a more direct style, but it has not been pretty and has led to all sorts of problems defensively. The improvement today was there for all to see once the home side reverted to 4-4-2. By the end of the game, Gillingham just about deserved the points and with results going their way, tonight they occupy sixth place.

As we embark on a very difficult March, with five away games and our two home matches against fellow promotion hopefuls, it might be as well to remember that despite the entertainment having been at a very low level, six points have been gained and if we can win ugly for the upcoming month then the majority of us will gladly accept it.

Gillingham 3 Macclesfield Town 1

Match 45/08/729 - Saturday, 21st February 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 3 King 2, Barcham 75,88
Macclesfield Town (0) 1 Evans 79 (pen)
Att. 4,620

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/5,459

Match Report

In these days of the celebrity footballer where making the A list is almost as important as making the first team, we are continually told that football is now part of the entertainment business. On Tuesday night walking away from the 4-4 thriller, I took in the conversation of a group of people that (I’m assuming) took up the offer of the free tickets made available by the “Manager’s Pledge”.

This group were more than happy with their evening’s entertainment, “How lucky was that, eight goals, great game”, blah-de-blah. Personally I was slightly in despair, how could we defend so awfully, how do we score four times and not win, blah-de-blah.

Today was almost parallel opposites, for the most part this was a really poor game, Gillingham were far from great, but the 3-1 win sends the vast majority home happy. Conclusion: Unless you are a truly neutral (and how many of those do you get at League Two games?) football is not part of the entertainment business, it is all about winning.

Rather surprisingly given the defensive nightmare against Aldershot, Mark Stimson made only the obvious change in bringing back fit-again Simon King in central defence and retained the services of Mark McCammon upfront in place of the injured Gary Mulligan. Bit of head shaking as to why John Nutter was not recalled in place of Rene Steer, but under a lot less pressure, Steer looked marginally better than on Tuesday, marginally being the operative word.

King met a second minute Nicky Southall corner to plant a firm header into the Macclesfield net and from here we anticipated a goalfest and unbridled entertainment. Unfortunately the goal did nothing other than flatten the game completely and a first half of tedium ensued. There was a couple of moments when the game rose above this very low ebb, but neither goalkeeper was severely tested.

The second half started at a slightly better tempo, Southall had a shot saved at the second attempt and a solo break from defence by Mark Bentley ended with a shot just edging wide. Eventually, with 15 minutes to go, Gillingham got a second goal. McCammon, on his knees and with his backside to goal, somehow managed to get the ball back to Andy Barcham who drove home.

So two goals to the good and coasting, it was time to doze off again. This I must have done, because I completely missed the incident that led to Macclesfield being awarded a penalty for handball against Barcham. Evans converted and the palpitations brought on by Tuesday returned. Thankfully, out of the depths of mediocrity, came a match winning goal of pure quality. Barcham cut in from the left and curled a peach of a shot into the far corner to send the home fans on their way happy with the outcome.

I would doubt there were many neutrals to entertain this afternoon, so the vast majority were going home satisfied, because as Brucie once said, Points mean Prizes, and ultimately the prize is entertainment enough.

Gillingham 4 Aldershot Town 4

Match 44/08/728 - Tuesday, 17th February 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 4 Weston 21, McCammon 48, Barcham 55,
Miller 72 (pen)
Aldershot Town (1) 4 Lindegaard 20, Morgan 57, Bentley 61 (o.g.), Sandell 66
Att. 5,974

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/5,414

Match Report

Oh my God, how do you make head or tail of this crazy football match? What was the underlying characteristic that produced this eight goal thriller? The poorest defensive display seen by Gillingham at Priestfield in many a day, although the Aldershot supporters must also have been going home asking themselves how they have scored four times away from home and failed to win. Or could it be that the inept display of referee Stuart Attwell, unbelievably eclipsed by the worst linesman in Mr P Cockup (actually his name was Kirkup) that I think I’ve ever seen, that was the contributing factor to this head spinner.

Mr Attwell, it will be remembered was the referee that awarded the phantom goal to Watford earlier in the season and was fast-tracked as the bright young thing to the Premiership before suffering a equally rapid reversal back to the Football League. Up and down the country there are spectators that believe that reversal should continue all the way back to park football. If Attwell was bad, Kirkup just shouldn’t be allowed near a touchline because he is a danger to himself, turning the normally sedate Gordon Road folk into a seething mass.

Of Saturday’s nobbled two, Simon King failed to recover and Mark Bentley deputised. John Nutter was dropped to the bench to give a full debut to Arsenal loanee Rene Steer, and what a woeful debut it was. Steer was completely out of his depth, my neighbour remarked that he would predict that he would never wear a Arsenal shirt, I would predict that he never again wears a Gillingham shirt, he made Nutter look world class.

Manager Stimson’s other decision was to drop leading scorer Simeon Jackson to the bench giving Dennis Oli and Gary Mulligan the strikers role.

Gillingham made a bright start, but conceded the first goal on 20 minutes when a long cross to the far post was brilliantly headed back across the goal by Anthony Charles, which was in turn met by Andy Lindegaard who planted his header past Simon Royce. It was a well worked goal, Charles did especially well, but it was a portent of what was to ensue, Steer had given Davies time and space to cross and there was very little in terms of challenges for the two headers.

The home side quickly made amends, Andy Barcham who had a sparkling match and is back to his best, gave Dennis Oli a chance that was blocked, the ball fell to Adam Miller who fed Curtis Weston whose shot went underneath the keeper, who really should have done better, another sign of the madness to come.

The rest of the first half went along quietly if you can discount the bizarre decisions of Messrs Attwell and Kirkup, whose lack of speed on the line was compensated by his reasoning that he could make judgements from at least 20 yards behind the play and that the referee could make bad enough calls without his help.

Mark McCammon replaced Mulligan, who limped out of the first half and the enforced change paid instant dividends. The big striker met a Nicky Southall free kick to head home easily, far too comfortably if I was sitting with the Aldershot fans. This very respectable following for a Tuesday night was further disappointed in the 55th minute when Andy Barcham sped clear of the Aldershot defence, rounded the keeper to slot home. Barcham ran a long way with the ball and finished clinically, great stuff and the Gills are coasting. The next 11 minutes showed how wrong you can be.

In the next two minutes, Royce missed a cross by a country mile but was rescued, linesman Kirkup missed a offside decision, Royce missed another cross and from the resultant melee Marvin Morgan headed home. The madness had begun.

Four more minutes passed by and Mark Bentley, attempting to turn the ball behind for a corner, only managed to head into his own net and at the end of the nightmare period, Steer allowed Robinson the freedom of Priestfield to cross for Andy Sandell to score from close range. 3-1 up, 4-3 down and still the best part of half an hour of confusion to reign.

Gillingham’s equaliser didn’t take up much of the remaining time, six minutes later Adam Miller was brought down and got up to send the keeper the wrong way from the resultant penalty, a decision that Attwell seemed to get right.

Wild, tennis-like, predictions of 6-5, 7-6, 6-all finishes subsequently proved unfounded, although Andy Barcham once again raced clear only to be stopped in his tracks by keeper Alex McCarthy. What do we make of it in the cold light of the next day? It was entertaining, that’s for sure. It was comical in a twisted sort of way, but the hard facts are that Gillingham defended appallingly and were the makers of their own downfall. Positives can be taken from Barcham’s return to form and McCammon’s impact on his introduction. Ultimately Stimson was left with more questions than answers.

Gillingham 0 Bradford City 2

Match 42/08/726 - Saturday, 7th February 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 0
Bradford City (1) 2 Daley 45, Boulding 70
Att. 4,866

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/4,889

Match Report

The Borough of Gillingham managed to emerge from the week’s Big Freeze only for its football club to leave their supporters cold with a poor performance against promotion rivals Bradford City. Whilst very few positives can be drawn from a Gillingham perspective, plaudits should be offered to the visitors who looked a really good side, probably the best seen at Priestfield this season.

The heavy snowfall that had engulfed Kent in the early part of the week and covered the entire country over the next couple of days had thawed and despite an overnight frost the pitch was perfectly playable. Despite losing their last home match against Lincoln City, the Gills entered the match on a high having won a third successive match on the road last Saturday against Chester City. A Tuesday night postponement at Notts County had lost the opportunity to reinforce their much improved away form.

Bradford City, who came to Priestfield a point in arrears of their hosts, opened the game on the front foot and raided from the wings with Omar Daley and Steve Jones taking it in turns to especially torment John Nutter. Daley drove an early chance into the side netting, sparking an enthusiastic, misguided celebration from the visiting supporters, this was followed by Daley setting up Michael Boulding to force Simon Royce into a save.

As Gillingham finally started to get a toe hold in the game, they had a Simeon Jackson goal disallowed for offside. There was probably no doubting the decision as the linesman’s flag was quickly raised, but it was unfortunate that the first opportunity that fell to Adam Miller had been blocked by the keeper as the Gillingham player slipped at a most inopportune time.

In the 45th minute Bradford City got the lead that their first half performance had deserved, albeit in a controversial manner. The veteran Peter Thorne crossed from the right and found the impressive Daly to slot home from close range. Fury was vented at the linesman as the Gordon Road spectators felt that Daly had strayed offside. The decision was dependent on whether the ball had been passed forward and from the angle of my viewing position it was not possible to be sure. Protests from Gillingham defenders were waved away, but in truth they looked a bit half-hearted.

In midfield, Mark Stimson had chosen to start with Jaime Peters in preference to Nicky Southall and Mark Bentley had returned to his midfield slot replacing the suspended Curtis Weston, who was a big miss on the day. The home crowd was seemingly unimpressed with Stimson’s decision to replace Peters with Southall. It was a straight change, but it was the fall guy of the boo boys, Adam Miller, that the jeering few wanted rid of. Miller wasn’t at his best, but then his best is not good enough for some.

Gillingham were just not at the races in the second half and another change with 25 minutes remaining was ultimately to seal their fate. Garry Richards was withdrawn for the introduction of Mark McCammon, the reshuffle seeing Bentley revert to central defence. On a patch of grass not far removed from where Miller had slipped in the first half, Bentley did likewise whilst attempting a clearance and Boulding was on hand to go one-on-one with Royce, whose valiant effort was not enough to stop the shot entering the net.

The end of the match was greeted with a repeat of the booing that had been in evidence at the end of the Lincoln game. This had been a very poor performance from Gillingham and it is easy to understand the frustration of the home support. It is somehow typical of Gillingham that as their away form significantly improves, all of a sudden their form at home seems to have deserted them.

Gillingham 1 Lincoln City 2

Match 40/08/724 - Tuesday, 27th January 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Jackson 25 (pen)
Lincoln City (0) 2 Horsfield 52, N'Guessan 90
Att. 4,525

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/4,808

Match Report

Gillingham fell back to earth with an almighty bump at Priestfield when they lost their proud unbeaten home record to Lincoln City. It was way back in August, 12 games ago, that Gillingham last suffered defeat at home when Luton went away with the points. Last night they were perhaps victims of naivety or over-ambition as they chased a winner and left the back door open to a last minute mugging.

At half time it was all going swimmingly, a goal up through a Simeon Jackson penalty after Adam Miller had been felled, they had comfortably controlled the game and looked destined to avenge an October defeat at a freezing Sincil Bank.

But something happened during the break that saw two different sides emerge from the tunnel in the second half. After eight minutes of the half, The Horse (Geoff Horsfield), showed his quality when he curled in an absolute screamer from 25 yards to equalise, later reports have indicated that he might have been offside, but it takes nothing away from a superb strike.

This seemed the catalyst for the wheels coming off Gillingham’s game. Passes that had been precise in the first half were suddenly going astray with alarming regularity, it appeared that confidence had drained away like water down a plughole. Miller continued to probe and drive the Gills on by example and made chances for Jackson and Nicky Southall who was denied by a superb Rob Burch save.

As the clock ticked on and Gillingham threw bodies forward in search of a winner, they had the first warning of what might happen should they continue to throw caution to the wind. Simon Royce was forced to chase a long way from his goal and just about managed to make a clearance under severe pressure, but the writing was on the wall.

The injury time board had just been raised to show three extra minutes when Adam Miller made another storming run to the edge of the Lincoln box. At this point opinion will be divided as to Miller’s guilt in the ultimate outcome. He had a pass available to the right hand side, but chose to take on one more defender, he was robbed of the ball and a punt clear saw Royce having to chase from his goal once more, this time unsuccessfully. Danny N’Guessan rounded the keeper and slotted into a empty goal under a bit of pressure from the one remaining Gillingham defender. Was it Miller’s fault, after all he was 80 yards from his own goal when his lost the ball, should Royce have stayed at home, you pay your money you take your choice. My opinion is stated in the first paragraph, Gillingham were guilty of naivety and got completely mugged for their ambition.

The promotion challenge is now taken into two away games and one hopes that the confidence that had been slowly built over the last couple of months does not desert them after just 45 minutes when their game did not go to plan.

Gillingham 1 Exeter City 0

Match 39/08/723 - Saturday, 24th January 2009 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Miller 78
Exeter City (0) 0
Att. 5,638

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/4,763

Match Report

E-I-E-I-E-I-O, up the Football League we go, for the first time this season the song was chorused by the Rainham End. Two straight wins on the road had propelled the Gills into a play-off spot and the confidence of the side is at last beginning to translate itself on the terraces.

Those away victories and the heightened profile of the club following the televised FA Cup game against Aston Villa quite possibly added 500 people to the gate this afternoon along with a very respectable following from Devon.

In a first half that was interesting rather than scintillating, Gillingham had the majority of the possession but both teams were denied a lead by the woodwork. Simon Royce was motionless as a clever chip from Neil Saunders hit the bar on 12 minutes and ten minutes later Nicky Southall saw a free kick rebound from the angle of post and bar.

Southall had been brought into the side when Gary Mulligan was ruled out, but the greater significance of this was the release of Dennis Oli to play up top. Oli had a truly memorable afternoon, he won just about every header and his pace and tenacity was a threat to Exeter all afternoon. He scuffed a first half chance, but this was the only blot on a man-of-the-match performance that, for once, even the sponsors recognised.

Mark Stimson’s pursuit of Chris Dickson continues and whilst most will argue that Dickson is a greater predator in front of goal, it would be a gross injustice if Oli was to be the fall guy for his introduction.

The second half was completely one-way traffic. Gillingham dominated the midfield with Curtis Weston and Adam Miller pulling all the strings and with Exeter being pushed back, Lewis and Nutter were given licence to raid the flanks. At times the home side’s football was delightful, but there was seemingly always a final ball that frustrated. Too many times Paul Jones in the Grecians goal was left with easy catches to make.

Miller had the ball in the net on the hour but was given offside without too much argument, before Gillingham finally made their breakthrough with just over ten minutes to go. For the umpteenth time Oli flicked on a header, Simeon Jackson turned and shot but the block fell to Miller who tucked it home.

Gillingham of only a few weeks ago would have gone into their shell at this point and sunk back to their 18 yard box inviting pressure and inevitably a equalising goal, but there is now a greater confidence. Exeter did not get a sniff of their hosts goal in those closing minutes as Gillingham played the ball to the corners and kept possession with relative comfort.

New loan signing Jamie Peters was introduced for the last five minutes and he gave a lively little cameo before the final whistle sounded to the approval of the home support. Gillingham had not beaten Exeter in the manner that they themselves were spanked at St James’s Park earlier in the season, but in terms of the domination of the game this was pay back for that awful afternoon in Devon.

Gillingham 1 Aston Villa 2

Match 37/08/721 - Sunday, 4th January 2009 - FA Cup 3rd Round

Gillingham (0) 1 Jackson 57
Aston Villa (1) 2 Milner 13, 79 (pen)
Att. 10,107

Entrance: £22
Programme: £4
Mileage: 45/3,956

Match Report

The final whistle had barely sounded when the mobile phone offered up its first text: Wot a shame they did u proud. The texter had it right, they had certainly done us proud.

The scoreline shows just how close Gillingham had run the fourth-best side in the country and it had taken a dubious penalty to achieve that result. Ashley Young, who had not taken too much to take a tumble all afternoon, was challenged by Adam Miller and down he went. James Milner stroked home the penalty and the dream of a replay that we had cherished for 20 minutes disappeared.

Aston Villa had turned up without Gareth Barry and Gabriel Agbonlahor, but this was also a seriously weakened Gillingham side and one look at the bench that resembled a creche was an indication of how badly the home side were stretched.

A sterling effort from groundsman John Plummer had managed to get the pitch to kick off time frost-free and without the need of a pitch inspection. An earlier inspection of my own lawn had decreed that no game would be played on my patch of grass.

Hearty renditions of the the Last Waltz and Home of the Shouting Men had a packed Priestfield Stadium in full voice as the teams took to the field for a Third Round tie in front of ITV’s cameras.

It was against the run of play when Villa went ahead on 14 minutes. Adam Miller was caught in possession following a poor pass from makeshift centre half Mark Bentley, had Garry Richards been available the ball was bound for Row Z. Milner scored with a quality finish. This was going to be the difference in class it was felt, one half chance and the Premiership side had taken it.

It was easy to suspect that Gillingham would fold and the scoreline could be as mountainous as Mark Stimson had foretold given a bad set of circumstances. But none of it, by half time the home side had carved out a couple of chances and it took a last ditch tackle from Zat Knight to stop Simeon Jackson and Nigel Reo-Coker picked up a booking when he sent Dennis Oli sprawling on the edge of the penalty area.

On the hour came the moment we had dreamed. Jackson, who had looked so tiny in comparison to the towering Knight and Curtis Davies, finally wriggled clear and from just inside the box spectacularly beat Brad Friedel. Priestfield erupted, game on!

Villa then showed Premiership quality in closing the game out, Gillingham had a lot of the possession but were unable to test Friedel to any great extent and then came the penalty that broke our hearts. It was clearly debateable and a television viewing has not convinced me of its validity. As a supporter of a lower division club it was the kind of decision that we believe always falls the direction of the Premiership clubs. But mostly it was sad, because Gillingham did not deserve to be beaten in such a soft manner, they had earned a second pay day at Villa Park and their fans had similarly earned their big night out.

In front of the TV watching nation, Gillingham not only avoided any embarrassment, but showed enough quality to give real hope for the rest of the League Two season, whether they can similarly raise their game for likes of Grimsby and Chester is going to be the test.

Gillingham 1 Wycombe Wanderers 1

Match 35/08/719 - Sunday, 28th December 2008 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Weston 84
Wycombe Wanderers (1) 1 Lewis o.g. 31
Att. 5,979

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,885

Match Report

So Father Christmas came and went and the child Gillingham Football Club was left slightly disappointed with the contents of her Christmas stocking.

In times of credit crunch and recession that children do not understand, she had high expectations. She had done her bit, her behaviour had improved prior to the big day, putting behind her a bit of contrary temperament from a few months earlier.

Unfortunately Santa has a long memory and punished said child for her misdemeanours. It was not that he left her socking entirely empty it just didn’t hold the goodies for which she had hoped and thought she deserved.

Her first present from an old auntie in West London came in the shape of woolly jumper. It was of a nice style, not tacky in the time ordered Christmas fashion, but unfortunately it just did not fit. Auntie, being a bit absent of mind, had not offered the receipt and the present could not be returned, our child would just have to grin and bear it.

Plunging her hand back in the stocking she came across something that was badly wrapped and, to be quite honest, smelled absolutely shocking. On further examination she found some fruit that had long since passed its sell-by date. What on earth had she done to receive such a present and who could of sent it, was it a joke? Retrieving the badly written tag she saw that it was from a cousin from the East End of London, one that she had not visited for many years. His Dad had a vegetable stall in the market and a warped sense of humour.

By now she is in despair, but there is one small package from a rich Uncle in leafy Buckinghamshire. Uncle Peter was close and had always been good to the family. She found that the package contained a small jewel. It was beautiful, it looked a pure diamond. But unfortunately even Uncle Peter was touched by the downturn and on closer inspection the diamond was flawed and while far from worthless, once again it was not quite what she hoped.

So she has been quietly disappointed, but there was a silver lining on the horizon. One of her mega-rich aunts from the Midlands is coming down to spend New Year. Her present has been kept under wraps, could it be that 2009 might be the start of something much better. The lessons have to be learned, to get the presents for which you crave, you have to be good all year long.

And the game on the day:

The official site gave the possession as Gills 44% WW 56%, which I find quite frankly bemusing. I thought the first half was fairly even and we certainly didn't deserve to go in a goal down. Second half was one way traffic with Wycombe showing why they are top of the table, a team that manages to pick up a point after taking such a pounding will inevitably be top or near top come the end of the season.

Thankfully some sort of justice prevailed with an excellent Weston strike. I thought Adam Miller took the captain's armband and performed both admirably and responsibly, Weston was back to his best and Trigger showed that he is wasted at full back. Sadly Miller still polarises opinions and there are still people who are on his back, it appears that this is not going to change.

The Wycombe back four were far too strong for Jackson, who I thought resorted to going down far too easily.

Hundred per cent better than Boxing Day and a good game to boot.

Gillingham 1 Brentford 1

Match 33/08/717 - Saturday, 20th December 2008 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Jackson 60
Brentford (1) 1 McDonald 28
Att. 5,521

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,752

Match Report

Gillingham extended their unbeaten home sequence to 10 games with a stirring second half performance to earn a well-deserved point.

Brentford went into the break a goal to the good following a defensive nightmare for the Gillingham central defensive pairing. First a poor backward header from Garry Richards saw Simon Royce charging from his goal but failing to get to the ball before it was put across the face of the goal. Simon King appeared to be in a position to clear the ball, but he somehow could not adjust his feet and the ball rolled to Charlie McDonald who had the easiest of tap ins. To be fair, despite the nature of the goal, Brentford were good value for their lead. The Gillingham faithful had to endure rather than enjoy a first half in which they were second best and by quite some margin.

A very different Gillingham emerged from the dressing room for the second half. Attacking the Rainham End a couple of chances were forged for Simeon Jackson before the top scorer got onto the score sheet with a stooping header following a Mark Bentley flick on. The home side were now very much the dominant side and Andy Barcham was inches wide when a ball rebounded off him.

Brentford were reduced to ten men with 20 minutes to go after a mass brawl erupted, which from a distance was seemingly out of nothing. A couple of players seem to tangle on the ground and within seconds it was all kicking off. Nathan Elder was eventually shown the red card, but in the melee the referee did well to pick out a perpetrator, or did he guess?

With the man advantage Gillingham took the game to their visitors, who then had their keeper Ben Hamer to thank for safeguarding their point with a couple of excellent saves.

Late in the game Gillingham skipper Barry Fuller was also red carded for an innocuous challenge that he had no real reason to make. Perhaps the red mist was still down from the brawl in which he picked up a yellow card. Whatever the reason it was a foul that has cost him a suspension ruling him out of the Aston Villa cup tie.

Whilst the FA Cup game is money-making and prestigious, this Christmas period could be pivotal in the quest for promotion. Today was the first of three games against opposition in a similar or better position than ourselves, I hope that the players’ focus is going to be on the game in front of them, not one in the future.

Gillingham 2 Chesterfield 1

Match 30/08/714 - Saturday, 6th December 2008 - League Two

Gillingham (2) 2 Miller 18, Jackson 45
Chesterfield (0) 1 Lester 60
Att. 4,622

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,506

Match Report

What possesses a team to take the field and play and behave in manner that Chesterfield did at Priestfield yesterday. Was it a preconceived tactic to knock a Gillingham side with a fearsome home record out of their stride or was it a result of the run around that the home side had inflicted on their unwelcome visitors.

Whatever it was it was far from pretty as Chesterfield literally set about kicking lumps out of their opponents. Six bookings is not only a fair reflection of the way they set about their task, they were fortunate to get away with no worse. During the first half there appeared no way that Chesterfield could avoid finishing the game with ten men or even less, with the aid of a lenient (to the extreme) referee, they managed it.

They compounded their sins midway through the second half when Jamie Ward laid on the ground supposedly injured, Barry Fuller put their ball out of play so he could receive attention, upon which Ward promptly got to his feet without the trainer being necessary and from the resulting throw-in Kevin Austin refused to give the ball back to Gillingham. It was gross bad sportsmanship, but something that was only in keeping with the rest of their performance.

Priestfield echoed to the sounds of “Cheat” being directed at Austin, but this could have been aimed at any number of the Chesterfield side. Ward, with 12 goals to his credit this season, was far more adept at feigning injury than giving any problems to the Gillingham central defensive pairing of Simon King and Gary Richards, who shackled him to the point of obscurity.

At half time Gillingham were winning this game at a stroll. Adam Miller had given the home side the lead and then was instrumental in the build up to a sublime Simeon Jackson finish to put them two up. For all this, Miller seemingly cannot win over some of Gillingham’s support, who cheered when his number was put up for substitution, what more does the bloke have to do?

Lee Richardson sent his Chesterfield side out early for the second half and had obviously got into their heads during the break. As had been the case with Stockport the previous week, the visitors enjoyed a much improved second period, though their attitude to the beautiful game remained unchanged.

When Simon Royce inexplicably went walkabout on the hour, the Spirites were back in the game courtesy of a Jack Lester goal and the stroll was threatening to turn into a stumble. Had Royce not redeemed himself with an absolutely blinding save from a close range Lester volley then the Chesterfield bad boy tactics would have taken home a point. But justice prevailed and they returned to Derbyshire empty handed and for that football can be thankful.

Gillingham 1 Stockport County 1

Match 29/08/713 - Saturday, 29th November 2008 - FA Cup 2nd Round

Gillingham (0) 0
Stockport County (0) 0
Att. 4,419

Entrance: £16
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,461

Match Report

The magic of the FA Cup returned to Priestfield this afternoon for the first time in nearly five years. There has been a straightforward victory over Bromley since the momentous victory over Charlton in 2004 but early exits away from home have been the watchword since.

This tie was always going to be a tall order for Gillingham, whose formidable home form was matched point-for-point by Stockport County’s splendid away record. I had been forewarned by a Millwall supporting colleague that County were the best side he had seen at the New Den this season, so there was no surprise in the quality of our opponents.

Sadly the FA Cup these days doesn’t get the casual supporter out of his armchair and a 4,419 attendance was, while unsurprising, disappointing. What they lacked in numbers, the crowd made up for in volume. This was Priestfield of the good old days, the Rainham End giving wholehearted support that spread to the rest of the ground, making for a vibrant atmosphere.

What ensued was a enthralling cup tie, far more deserving than a goalless scoreline. Gillingham had the best of the first half with Mark Bentley spurning the best chance, a header that he steered wide. Adam Miller saw a drive tipped over by Owain fon Williams and another Bentley header had the Medway Stand mistakenly on their feet as he rippled the side netting.

Perhaps the defining moment of the game came midday through the half. Simeon Jackson chasing a long ball appeared to have got clear of County’s James Tunnicliffe. Jackson was wrestled to the ground, had the referee decided that it was a foul, the defender would almost certainly have been shown a red card, being the last man, as it was the referee saw nothing wrong, much to the disgust of the home crowd.

So a superb first half performance went unrewarded for the home side and unfortunately Gillingham could not quite replicate it in the second half. The best of the chances fell to the League One side, but while Simon Royce was called upon to make a couple of saves they were not of the spectacular kind. Simon King, named man of the match, and Gary Richards marshalled the tall twin strike force admirably, both strikers eventually substituted.

Taking the positives, Gillingham have matched one of the better sides from a division above and, for 45 minutes at least, played some of the best football seen this season. Unfortunately it has been not enough to win this stirring cup tie.

At least we are in the hat for tomorrow’s third round draw, but for me this brings mixed feelings. Do we want the Holy Grail fixture against one of the big four, knowing that defeat in the replay adds to the disappointment, or a draw against, say, Macclesfield, and the knowledge that we are not missing a big day out should we falter at Edgeley Park.

But in the spirit of the optimism shown at Priestfield this afternoon, on and off the park, we are not out of the FA Cup until the final ball is kicked, a week Tuesday at Stockport.

Gillingham 1 Rochdale 1

Match 28/08/712 - Tuesday, 25th November 2008 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 1 Jackson 17
Rochdale (0) 1 Le Fondre 61
Att. 4,029

Entrance: Season ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,416

Match Report

It is an age-old question that is posed after a home draw, is it a point gained or two lost? On this occasion I would come down in the point gained camp.

Rochdale, last year’s beaten play-off finalists have made another good start to the season and showed for long periods last night why they have to be taken seriously as contenders again this term.

After a bright start from both sides, Gillingham fashioned a superb goal to take the lead. Curtis Weston fed Albert Jarrett with a beautiful cross field pass. The winger’s cross was pin point perfect for Simeon Jackson to turn home from close range. Two passes and a tap in, it was incisive and must have delighted manager Mark Stimson, as it did everybody supporting the Gills.

Albert Jarrett has become a player that can delight and frustrate is probably less than equal measure. Give him a little space and he has a cross that can drop on a sixpence and along with the goal made three or four further chances. But his downside is that he can be a liability virtually everywhere else of the pitch. Particularly poor in his defensive duties offering no protection to John Nutter who is struggling for form anyway.

Gillingham may well have gone into a two goal lead when Jackson was one-on-one with the keeper who saved well, but the feeling was that Jackson should have done better. Before the break Simon Royce made a stunning close range stop to preserve the half time lead.

I’m sure there are idiots in every part of Priestfield Stadium, in the Coffin Dodgers we have one particular “gentleman” for whom part of his afternoon/evening’s entertainment is to harangue the linesman from the first whistle to last and to select one of the opposition for similar treatment. The Rochdale player on this occasion was Adam Le Fondre, who admittedly liked a whinge. For this he became the rhyming equivalent of a merchant banker, so there was more than a twist of irony when Le Fondre beautifully curled in a leveller for his fifth goal in three games, some banker. Likewise, the butt of this individual’s criticism on the home side is presently Albert Jarrett, who in an off-the-wall selection was named man of the match.

Despite ending the game, due to injuries, with ten men, Gillingham exerted some pressure in the closing moments but were unable to force a winner. So a point gained? I think so.

Gillingham 4 Rotherham United 0

Match 25/08/709 - Saturday, 15th November 2008 - League Two

Gillingham (1) 4 King 6, Miller 58, Richards 78, Cumbers 88
Rotherham United (0) 0
Att. 5,304

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,245

Match Report

It is one of football’s great imponderables, it drains away faster than it becomes evident, but when you have it the result can be awesome. It is called confidence.

On the back of the rare luxury of two away wins on the trot with a pair of clean sheets for good measure, Gillingham took on dangerous opponents and surged into the play-off places at Fortress Priestfield.

Rotherham have made light of their points deduction and have pulled away from the relegation zone, in fact their 26 points gained would have placed them in a play-off spot had it not been for the imposed penalty.

That new found confidence was consolidated with an early goal. A looping header from Simon King crept in at the far post for his first goal for the club. But for the best part of half an hour thereafter Gillingham had to be at their best at the back as the visitors took the game to their hosts. Garry Richards did a fine job controlling one of the Division’s hotshots Reuben Reid and a great save from Simon Royce kept the Gills in front before the game’s defining moment.

From my seat in the Coffin Dodgers it was difficult to see whether the challenge on Barry Fuller was late or two footed, but the immediate reaction of the Gillingham players in confronting the perpetrator, Danny Harrison, indicated that it was probably a poor tackle. The referee, fussy throughout, produced a straight red to leave Rotherham with ten men.

Fuller was fit to continue, but the second half began without the influential Curtis Weston who was substituted by fit again Mark McCammon. On the hour Adam Miller put the big striker through on goal, his shot was parried by the keeper but Miller followed up to bundle it home.

Two-nil and with the opposition a man down, the confidence spread to the stands and the Rainham End took time out from their ongoing dispute with the stewards to chant for Mark Stimson to give them a wave. Many of them were waving their own salute at him not so long ago.

A well-placed header from Richards, having seen off the threat of Reid, put Gills on easy street and when Albert Jarrett came on for his weekly ten minute cameo, his cross ended with young Luis Cumbers having a tap in for his first goal for the club, the demolition was complete.

So confidence reigns supreme at Fortress Priestfield, six home wins in seven and an attendance that topped 5,000 for the first time in a while, albeit that Kids for a Quid probably made up the increase. Long may that confidence reign.

Gillingham 2 Chester City 0

Match 21/08/705 - Saturday, 25th October 2008 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 2 Barcham 71, Mills 73
Chester City (0) 0
Att. 4,852

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/2,656

Match Report

Goals win matches and goals also change the perception of the game you have watched. For 70 minutes this game was total dross. Two sides as bad as each other, neither able to pass to a team mate.

On the hour, Albert Jarrett entered the fray as a substitute for Adam Miller, whose departure was rather unkindly jeered, he was no worse than anybody else. Jarrett has failed to sparkle since his exciting performances for the Reserves earned him a short term contract that has recently been renewed for another month. So there was little expectation of a turn for the better.

Jarrett, whose first touch had brought a booking for James Vaughan, turned in a cross in the 71st minute that was headed goalwards by Garry Richards. This effort was headed off the line and back to Jarrett whose second cross was eventually touched in by Andy Barcham. Two minutes later and a John Nutter corner was met firmly by Leigh Mills and from a position of frustration all was right with the world.

Simon Royce made a couple of good saves and Jarrett wasted a one-on-one chance to embellish a much improved substitute appearance before the final whistle.

Gillingham’s formidable home form, five wins and a draw from their last six, leaves them on the cusp of a play-off spot, but this disguises the quality of some of the performances. The first half had been a thoroughly depressing affair. Perhaps Chester can be forgiven for having a lack of confidence following a six goal hammering by Rochdale during the week, but they were the team that created the best of the chances that brought some smart saves from Royce.

The effort put in by both sides cannot be faulted but the quality of this Division is at times desperate. At the season’s start I had felt that we would not see an appreciable difference between Divisions One and Two, how wrong I am. The ball seems to be endlessly in the air and nobody appears to want the ball longer than five seconds. As long as the work rate is matched, any side with a little bit of quality can win this Division.

Simeon Jackson was unfit for a second game, Barry Fuller and Mark Bentley were serving suspensions and Andrew Crofts, who was transfer listed during the week could not even make the bench, from where Jack Payne, 16 years of age, made a two minute appearance.