Port Vale 2 Gillingham 1

Match 57/07/674 - Monday, 24th March 2008 - League One

Port Vale (1) 2 Richards 19 Whitaker 53
Gillingham (0) 1 Griffiths 79
Att. 3,157

Entrance: £19
Programme: £2.50
Mileage: 430/4,843

Match Report

There was an icy blast of winter on this Easter Monday trip to Vale Park and with defeat came the chilling realisation that relegation is now almost a certainty.

Mathematically, Gillingham still have chances to pull themselves to safety, for instance, they have a game in hand on Millwall and also have to play the Lions, two wins and only goal difference would separate the clubs, realistically is it going to happen? Four home games remain, Luton and Swindon might produce maximum points, the optimistic might hope for draws against promotion-chasing Carlisle and Swansea, giving eight home points. Away from home, taking the optimistic vein, Millwall, Bristol Rovers and Leeds at a point apiece would give us 11 points total leaving Millwall or Crewe to win two of their remaining games. I cannot see us getting those 11 points, so the likelihood is that their task is going to be less than those two wins.

What might have been had Simeon Jackson converted a first half penalty that would have brought Gillingham level? But the penalty, saved by the goalkeeper Anyon, was typical of an afternoon where the Gills created a bucketful of chances, but only had a 10 minutes from time effort from substitute Leroy Griffiths to show for their efforts.

Port Vale, who could have been relegated on the day if they had lost, completed the double over Gillingham with a poorly conceded first half goal and a very good strike in the second. A poor defensive header fell to Vale 12 yards out and Richards was allowed time and space to pick his spot. Shortly after half time, Whitaker found the top corner from about 25 yards leaving Gillingham with too much to do.

On the way home we were discussing relegation and ended up cheering ourselves up. There are quite a few new grounds to visit and, more importantly, Gillingham might even win more often which would make it a lot more enjoyable, especially away from home.

I’ve a feeling that one or two of the “non-league” players that Mark Stimson has brought to the club might well flourish at a lower level. A few goals would certainly give Jackson confidence and he could turn into a very good striker at League Two level and likewise Miller and Nutter could do very well at the lower level.

Unfortunately it might be off-the-field financial matters that hold the key to our prospects next season in the lower tier.