Gillingham 2 Luton Town 1

Match 60/07/677 - Tuesday, 1st April 2008 - League One

Gillingham (0) 2 Jackson 75, 87
Luton Town (1) 1 Parkin 19
Att. 6,142

Entrance: Season ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/5,408

Match Report

There was just 45 minutes left in our season, five more games to come but realistically the next 45 were going to be make or break.

A goal down, was it a fluke, it was certainly strange watching Derek Stillie come for what appeared to be an imaginary cross into his six yard box only to stand flat-footed as Sam Parkin directed a header from all of 18 yards. Gillingham had huffed and puffed for the remainder of the half, created a half-decent chance that unfortunately fell to centre-back Gary Richards, but were largely outpassed and outmoved by Luton Town. The visitors’ first half performance belied their relegation position but highlighted that they were largely imprisoned by virtue of their 10 point administration deduction.

The last couple of games, despite indifferent first half performances, have seen the Rainham End rise to the cause during the half-time break and this time they repeated the act with an even greater intensity. It does seem that since the Crewe debacle (and subsequent incidents) that there is now a collective will to produce a do or die effort.

Gillingham were back on the pitch early while Luton stalled their return hoping that the crowd would run out of steam while they waited. But all four sides of Priestfield were prepared to suck that ball into the Rainham End goal.

After a couple of half chances, ten minutes into the second and Simeon Jackson is through one-on-one with goalkeeper Dean Brill, but Jackson did what he has done on three or four occasions since his arrival, failed to lift the ball over the keeper and it was the ex-Gillingham loanee that came out on top with a good save. Seven minutes later and there is a reprise of the previous situation, Jackson in the clear and bearing down on Brill, this time the forward managing to lift the ball over the keeper, the ball is agonisingly bouncing towards the goal, but once again a Luton defender gets round and the ball is cleared to safety. This is not going to be our night, my thoughts being echoed by Gillingham fans as one.

Mark Stimson makes bold choices, John Nutter is replaced by Leroy Griffiths and new signing Georges Ba comes on for Adam Miller. It really is shit or bust now. Fifteen minutes to go and Ba sends a ball into the Hatters area, a chance falls to Bentley that Brill is once again the equal, but the ball is lifted back into the six yard box by Griffiths and this time Jackson gets in a brave header and the Gills are level. Cue much celebration and the noise levels raised to decibels not heard at Priestfield for months.

With time running out Stimson introduces yet another forward, new signing Donovan Simmonds for Dennis Oli. Into the last five minutes and Nicky Southall produces a David Beckham moment that will live long in the memory. His perfectly curled cross is met at the far post by the on-rushing Jackson, the net bulges, the Rainham End tumble down the terraces to greet their hero and the cacophony of sound was probably heard in Chatham Town Centre.

Four agonising minutes, cotton-twitching minutes described by Doug Hudson, just about passed with Gillingham easing down the clock to a final whistle greeted with as much joy as has been witnessed in several years.

A one point deficit to Crewe, two away from Saturday’s opponents Millwall. The New Den will not be for the faint-hearted with both sides desperate for the points. At this stage I will gladly take just the one and hope that results go our way elsewhere. Let us hope that this new found resistance can be replicated away from Priestfield, if it is then the Great Escape can replace the Fat Lady Singing.