Gillingham 1 Accrington Stanley 1

Match 16/11/903 - Wednesday, 10 September 2011 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Rooney 86 (pen)
Accrington Stanley (0) 1 Craney 82
Att. 4,619

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/1,088

Match Report

Early season optimism has evaporated as fast as a small puddle on a hot summer’s day. Two successive defeats left the visit of Accrington Stanley as not exactly critical at this early stage but certainly the opportunity for Gillingham to get their season heading in the right direction again. As the game unfolded the home side will be grateful for small mercies as a penalty saved a point after the visitors had taken an 84th minute lead.

This was a poor game that saw neither goalkeeper really tested. Gillingham opened up brightly and Charlie Lee brought a save from Sean Murdoch but it was a further half hour before the Stanley goal was threatened again. From a Danny Jackman corner, Lee headed goalwards beating Murdoch but seeing his effort cleared from the line by Dean Winnard.

Gillingham keeper, Ross Flitney had been a virtual spectator so it was to his credit that he maintained his concentration to turn a shot from Kevin McIntyre around his post late in the half.

The second half also meandered its way but there were increasing signs that Accrington were gaining in confidence and fancied their chances of a bit of a smash and grab. From a corner, Winnard placed a free header directly into the hands of Flitney and with seven minutes remaining on the clock, Louis Moult wasted a gilt edged chance, steering the ball wide of the post when through on goal.

The reprieve was short-lived however as Ian Craney exchanged passes with Moult and this time the former calmly scored into the bottom left hand corner. The Stanley celebrations in front of the Rainham End went down like a lead balloon as many headed for the exits.

Those that stayed until the bitter end were rewarded with an equaliser with a couple of minutes remaining. Moult, who had a mixed, but always involved 25 minutes on the pitch, needlessly brought down Danny Kedwell on the corner of the box leaving the referee with little choice but to award the spot kick. Kedwell was injured in the process and unable to take the penalty leaving Luke Rooney to step up and hold his nerve with so little time remaining, his penalty hitting the inside of the right hand post before nestling in the opposite corner.

Sadly, but understandably, the final whistle brought a chorus of boos and an anxiety that Kedwell’s injury could leave Gillingham without a recognised striker for the midweek trip to Southend.

England 1 Wales 0

Match 15/11/902 - Tuesday, 6 September 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifying

England (1) 1 Young 35
Wales (0) 0
Att. 77,128

Entrance: £40
Programme: £6.00
Mileage: 100/1,043

Match Report

This has been a difficult time on a personal front following England. My dear friend, John Gilmour, travelling companion to away games with the national team for the past eight years, suffered a heart attack and died on 24 July, he was just 54.

John was everything you would want from a football supporter, intensely loyal, he hardly ever missed a game and a man with the correct sense of values towards his fellow human beings, something that I failed to observe at Wembley on Tuesday night. In fact the happenings of the evening besmirched the memory of that fine man.

I’m not going into the incident, just to say that it shook me to the core. On the way home we heard of the Wales supporter that was killed outside Wembley and it reinforced my opinion that, at this level, football is just not worth the risk.

A visit to Wembley for an England international has long since lost its shine. They are always blighted by drunken behaviour but this has only ever affected us on the periphery; we’ve witnessed acts of thuggery but once again it has not directly involved us, Tuesday night was different.

At present I never want to go to an England game ever again. My first international was with my Dad prior to the 1962 World Cup in Chile against Mexico (an 8-0 victory) when midweek games were played in the afternoon as Wembley had no floodlights. Almost 50 years that has taken in the high of Bobby Moore lifting the World Cup to the Wally with the Brolly, time that will be left behind because of the actions of a thug.

As for the game, Ashley Young scored, Robert Earnshaw missed and England put more than one foot into the door of Euro 2012 and I couldn't care less.

RIP John Gilmour.

Gillingham 0 Shrewsbury Town 1

Match 14/11/901 - Saturday, 3 September 2011 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 0
Shrewsbury Town (0) 1 Wroe (pen) 90+4
Att. 4,869

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/943

Match Report

At 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Jim White stopped shouting and the transfer window slammed shut for another four months. I’m convinced that Sky Sports invented this arbitrary day to enable them to manufacture the situation that took Mikel Arteta to the Emirates and Raul Miereles to Chelsea with seconds to spare. Once Gillingham’s cheeky bid to bring Lionel Messi to Priestfield had collapsed, following a failure to agree personal terms, the whole evening bore no relevance to our club and very little relevance to clubs of our level.

The transfer window does no favours to the lower division clubs. It negates their capacity to trade when their financial health dictate and when the window is open then the buying clubs are usually looking for a quick fix that a signing from the fourth division is unlikely to supply. Gillingham supporters would have been looking at who was going where and hoping that perhaps a certain player went nowhere and would be available to the loan market in a week’s time. Unfortunately, Coventry City quashed these hopes.

So it was that Gillingham entered today’s fixture against Shrewsbury Town, with Danny Kedwell continuing to plough a lone furrow at the sharp end of the attack, aiming to put last week’s first defeat of the season at Rotherham behind them. Luke Rooney and Danny Jackman were recalled to the side at the expense of Danny Spiller and Joe Martin.

On a hot afternoon the game boiled down to two penalties. Kedwell had his first half spot kick saved by Ben Smith whilst Nicky Wroe twice converted his injury time winning penalty.

Ross Flitney made several fine saves during the game, the first of which came on 20 minutes when he dived to his right and pushed to ball away but only into the path of one-time Gills target Marvin Morgan, who blazed his shot over the bar from six yards from an unchallenged position. Shortly afterwards Rooney, who had a bright opening period, was brought down in the box to give Kedwell the opportunity to fire the home side in front from the spot. But his shot was too close to the keeper who got down to comfortably save.

Into the second half and Shrewsbury started asking the majority of the questions. Chances kept falling Morgan’s way and he continued to miss them, albeit in the back of another decent Flitney save. It was well into stoppage time when Terry Gornell sent Sean McAllister through and into the box; Flitney raced from his line but was beaten to the ball and sent the midfielder sprawling to the ground leaving the referee little choice but to award the penalty. Nicky Wroe was asked to take the spot kick a second time following encroachment for the first, but each time he drove the ball firmly to Flitney’s right and into the net in front of a despondent Rainham End.

So the loan window opens on Wednesday, Jim White will not be shouting and, to be fair, the vast majority of the dealings done in the lower Divisions won’t be worth shouting about. The majority inside Priestfield on Saturday will know that just one line on the ticker at the bottom on the screen will say all that is needed.

Tonbridge 3 Woking 6

Match 13/11/900 - Monday, 29 August 2011 - BSq Conference South

Tonbridge (1) 3 Collin 37 (pen),90 Andrews 75
Woking (3) 6 King 2 (pen), McNerney 17, Ademola 39, Hammond 77,
Gray 85,87
Att. 922

Entrance: £6 Senior Citizen
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 26/898

Match Report

It was always suspected that during this first-ever season of Conference football, somewhere, along the way, Tonbridge were going to pick up the odd pasting. I had deep misgivings that the August Bank Holiday visit of Woking might well prove to be one of them, sadly I was correct.

Ever since the first couple of games when Tonbridge were well beaten at home by a Sutton side that had taken an opening day thrashing from Woking this game took on the mantle of an accident waiting to happen. Saturday’s encouraging goalless draw at Dover offered some optimism that defensive fragility had been addressed, two minutes of playing time told a different story.

Once the home side had conceded an early penalty, they were on the back foot, chasing the game and mostly chasing a Woking forward line that cut through almost at will. It is disappointing that a positive that can be taken from the game, scoring three times against a side that had previously conceded just one goal in their first five matches, will be lost in the scoreline.

A bumper attendance of 922 watched the horror show unfold. Six goals would suggest that the back line were to blame, but this has to be shared with a midfield that was completely swamped as Mark Ricketts and Jack King dominated whist Paris Cowan-Hall was a box of tricks to which Tonbridge had no answer. Perhaps it is a good indication of the strength of this Woking side that Cowan-Hall was making his first start of the season, until today having been a bench-warmer. Upfront was the experienced pairing of Elvis Hammond, once a £250,000 signing for Leicester City and Moses Ademola who had Football League experience at Brentford.

Cowan-Hall sent a pass through to Ademola, Lee Worgan seemed slightly hesitant from his line and brought down the forward to concede a second minute penalty from which King converted and the tough afternoon was on its way. The visitors hit a post before doubling their advantage on 16 minutes, Worgan parried a shot from Hammond but only into the path of Joe McNerney who wasn’t going to miss from close range.

It was one-way traffic but the home side were offered a route back into the game five minutes before the break when Sonny Miles was pushed in the box and Frannie Collin cooly despatched the resultant penalty. It was imperative that Tonbridge reached the break trailing by just the single goal but that wish lasted a mere minute. The pest that was Cowan-Hall wriggled his way into the box, Worgan parried again but only into the path of Ademola who thumped it home. I make that of the last six goals that Tonbridge had conceded as at half time in this match, Worgan had parried four of them only to see the rebound fall to the eventual goalscorer, unlucky or poor defending?

Any lingering hopes were quickly extinguished in the second half. Chris Henry was unfortunate to pick up a booking for simulation when he clearly appeared to be tripped before Hammond blasted home on 55 minutes to wrap up the match. Credit does go to Tonbridge that they continued to pose problems for the Cards’ defence and with 15 minutes remaining pulled another goal back when Ben Andrews squeezed his header in from a corner. Once again a whimsical ounce of hope was quickly brushed to one side. Wayne Gray, a substitute boasting over 300 Football League appearances, came off the bench to score twice from close range after Cowan-Hall and Dale Binns had shredded Tonbridge’s right hand side.

I have to admit a pressing need to be somewhere else led to a resignation of this match and, by all accounts, Collin’s goal to make it
6-3 was the goal of the game, but I wasn’t there to see it.

There are probably going to be a few more thrashings but Tommy Warrilow and his troops have to set these aside if and when they happen and keep the confidence as high as possible, because as Tonbridge have already proved, there are going to be very few teams quite as potent as Woking and there are plenty more points on offer to secure safety.

Dover Athletic 0 Tonbridge 0

Match 12/11/899 - Saturday, 27 August 2011 - BSq Conference South

Dover Athletic (0) 0
Tonbridge (0) 0
Att. 1,003

Entrance: £9 Senior Citizen
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 95/872

Match Report

This League continues to confuse me. I was disturbed on Tuesday night by the way that Welling virtually bullied Tonbridge out of the game and expected more of the same at Dover, but this time we came across a side far less physical that virtually allowed their visitors to play their own game.

Who would have thought, given the goalfest that has been Tonbridge’s season so far, that this fixture would end up goalless. But, I’m sure most of the Tonbridge support assembled and probably Tommy Warrilow, would have taken the result on the way in.

Martin Hayes gave a less than gracious Radio Kent interview after the game but when he reflects, he must eventually come to the conclusion that for whatever reason, Tonbridge were well worth their point and were the team that came closest to winning with a Frannie Collin opportunity right at the death.

It was a game of very few goal scoring opportunities, George Purcell and Billy Bricknell had first half shots that failed to trouble Tonbridge keeper, Lee Worgan and Tonbridge entered the half time break thoroughly content with their opening half effort.

The second half saw Tonbridge build on the confidence taken from the opening period and could have had a penalty on the hour when Lee Browning was brought down. In the final 10 minutes Collin had chances to put his former employers to the sword with first a run that left three defenders in his wake before a shot that sailed over and in the last minute of time added on he forced Venezuelan keeper Miguel Ruiz into a great save and we all watched in anguish as his follow up shot was blocked by Nathan Ashton to deny a famous victory for the Angels.

Easy conclusion to make from this game is that Welling might well be the side that are to emerge as the best team in Conference South as they moved to the top of the table with another easy victory today, whilst the likes of Sutton, who were impressive at Longmead, are still looking for consistency.

Welling United 3 Tonbridge 2

Match 11/11/898 - Tuesday, 23 August 2011 - BSq Conference South

Welling United (1) 3 Pires 45, 75 Pugh 70
Tonbridge (2) 2 Collin 6,20
Att. 545

Entrance: £6 Senior Citizen
Programme: £2.00
Mileage: 94/777

Match Report

Despite moving into a two goal lead at Park View Road, Tonbridge were offered another lesson as to the difference between Conference and Ryman football. As the teams lined up for kick off, it was visibly apparent just how big this Welling side were. They were big and they were strong, I don’t subscribe to the viewpoint that Tonbridge were outclassed but I certainly would consider them outmuscled.

Tonbridge were given an early shot across the bows when Lee Clarke put an unchallenged header over the bar from close range after just a couple of minutes. Tonbridge moved into the lead soon after, Frannie Collin won the ball in midfield, moved inside and let fly a shot from 25 yards that sped its way across the damp turf past the outstretched hands of Dan Thomas.

For the remainder of the half the game took the course that would ensue for the entire match. Welling were so much stronger, they overran the Angels in midfield and this put unrelenting pressure on Tonbridge’s back line. Lee Worgan was forced into several saves and Jon Heath cleared from the line after ex-Gillingham striker Andy Pugh had poked the ball goalwards.

Five minutes remained of the half when Tonbridge delivered a real sucker punch. In a rare attack, Ade Olorunda fired in a shot that was parried by Thomas but only into the path of Collin who tucked the ball home from close range. Any Tonbridge supporter present, and plenty of them had made the journey to South London, could hardly have believed their eyes.

Tonbridge needed to see their lead to the break and as the clock had ticked past the minute added time it appeared that they had done so. Unfortunately the referee’s watch didn’t tick as fast as mine and he awarded a free kick on the box following a foul by Anthony Storey. The free kick from Clarke was saved by Worgan but Loick Pires was able to knock in the rebound to send the Wings to the dressing room with renewed vigour.

A second half equaliser was only a matter of time as the home side pressed continuously and it eventually came on 70 minutes when Ben Andrews slipped on the wet turf allowing Pugh a clear run and a cool finish. The Tonbridge resistance was now broken and within five minutes Welling were in front when a Pires header found the bottom corner from a Lou Fazackerley corner. The comeback was complete and it was no more than the Wings deserved.

Tommy Warrilow introduced Jon Main from the bench but he was not allowed to make any impression as Welling continued to the finish with their dominance.

Tonbridge will be stronger, especially in midfield, once Lewis Taylor and Scott Kinch are fit to return (both were involved in the pre-match warm up). It remains to be seen whether the squad that took the club from the Ryman is going to be strong enough for this Division. The quality is almost certainly there, the muscle is not.

Gillingham 3 Plymouth Argyle 0

Match 10/11/897 - Saturday, 20 August 2011 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 3 Kedwell 74, 90 (2 pens), Rooney 86
Plymouth Argyle (0) 0
Att. 5,053

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/683

Match Report

When Paul Scally walked into the old Social Club in the summer of 1995 and told the assembled supporters that he had bought the club out of administration for the princely sum of a quid he etched himself into the history of Gillingham Football Club as its saviour, or so we thought at the time.

In the 16 years that have followed, the Chairman’s popularity has risen and fallen and risen again on a ride resembling that of Blackpool’s Big Dipper. We’ve had the glory years including promotions, Wembley visits, big cup ties and we’ve had the gory years, relegations and debt crises. At present, in my humble opinion, the chairman’s credibility is in positive territory following the investment in new players during the summer and an encouraging start to the new season.

During his tenure, Mr Scally has made a few enemies along the way but in the beginning he was a hero, the man who saved our club, the same cannot be said of the duo at the forefront of a controversial takeover bid at today’s visitors, Plymouth Argyle. Peter Ridsdale, the chairman that led Leeds United to the brink of bankruptcy and Kevin Heaney, the owner of successful non-league club, Truro City are the men at the centre of a bid that has found little favour with the Devon club’s fan base. As the owner of Truro City, Heaney is not allowed to be involved in the actual running of Plymouth Argyle, but should he purchase of the club, he would then sell the footballing side to Ridsdale for £1, but retain the ownership of the stadium and the surrounding land, presumably for development.

And from that brief summary, you should be able to see the similarities between Gillingham’s plight in 1995 and that of Argyle in 2011. There is the purchase for a pound, the ownership of the ground being transferred away from the Football Club and distrust among the fans. Mr Scally has ridden the storm on which Ridsdale and Heaney are endeavouring to embark.

On the field, Plymouth have suffered successive relegations from their Championship status of two years ago, last season’s demise the result of a 10 point penalty for entering administration and players and staff’s morale would have been low following news that their August wages were to be deferred, having not been paid in full since the turn of the year. Add in a 30 year drought with regards to successful visits to Gillingham and it would be understandable if the 315 diehard Pilgrims gathered at the Town End were not exactly blessed with optimism.

In a scrappy first half it was the referee who took centre stage and Charlie Lee the centre of much of the action. The bustling midfielder took a couple of heavy challenges that should have been met with cautions and missed the golden opportunity of the first period when he poked wide after surging into the box.

The early period of the second half was a contest between Matt Lawrence’s head and the charmed life of the Plymouth goal. In the 51st minute, a header from a Danny Spiller corner crashed against the bar and 15 minutes later he steered another header wide from substitute Luke Rooney’s cross.

Gillingham finally took the lead on 74 minutes in a curious manner. Lee crossed and the ball appeared to strike the hand of central defender Danny Gibson before Curtis Weston drove the ball high into the Plymouth net. In the first instance it appeared that the referee had given the goal but his attention was drawn to the linesman who was signalling for a penalty kick. After a long consultation, the goal was chalked off, a penalty awarded and Gibson was shown the red card.

Danny Kedwell was entrusted with the spot kick and he is obviously an old-fashioned penalty taker, putting his foot firmly through the ball to drive past the keeper for his first goal for the club. Kedwell’s celebration indicated the frustration of his wait to open his account. He has been unanimously praised for his energy and work ethic in his role as the lone striker, but the goals on which strikers are judged had refused to come.

Luke Rooney was putting in one of his little cameo performances causing plenty of concern for the visiting defence as well as that irritating bit of petulance that earned him a caution for shirt tugging before scoring with a splendid shot in the last five minutes. Kedwell flicked on for the striker to cut in from the left and score with a rising shot that cannoned in off the underside of the crossbar. His celebration outdid Kedwell’s as he sprinted with Usain Bolt qualities to the halfway line taking the acclaim of the Medway Stand.

Into time added and Plymouth’s day of woe was complete when Lee was brought down inside the box by Simon Walton to allow Kedwell the opportunity to confirm his prowess from 12 yards with another well struck penalty into the bottom right hand corner.

Gillingham’s encouraging start became its best since 1995 and they sit in third place on equal points with the two clubs above them. But for Plymouth, the result is almost immaterial. Their supporters face the prospect that their club might cease to be in the not-too-distant future. I’ve heard the sentence trotted out many times regarding Paul Scally’s takeover of Gillingham: “He may not have been everybody’s cup of tea, but he was the only cup on the table.” Faced with the spectre of Peter Ridsdale, it seems the majority of Argyle supporters would rather go thirsty.