Gillingham (0) 1 Oli 75
Accrington Stanley (0) 0
Att. 4,733
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/1,272
Match Report
Yesterday, for the first time in 47 years, the iconic name of Accrington Stanley were the visitors to Priestfield Stadium. Stanley may not have the lavish history of the rich and famous of today’s Premiership, but for football fans of a certain vintage they are fondly remembered for a Milk advertisement in 1988. Two young Liverpool fans are seeking a drink following a game, one drinks milk because Ian Rush says that if you don’t drink milk you will end up playing for Accrington Stanley, “”Who are they”, says his mate. “Exactly” is the final word on the subject.Accrington, in a previous incarnation, were a founder member of the Football League in 1888, but have twice reformed to emerge as the club they are today. Two years ago they re-entered the Football League they left financially stricken, mid-season in 1962. Twenty-six years on, no wonder the kids didn’t have a clue who Stanley were. In a strange twist of fate their re-entry was at the expense of Oxford United, the club that had replaced them in 1962.
Back in the present day and Gillingham were good value for this single goal victory. After a first half that saw the home side have the best of the possession, but failing to capitalise on a couple of good chances they battered the Accrington goal in a vibrant second half showing.
Instrumental in this second half display was the introduction of Gary Mulligan as a substitute for the ineffective Mark McCammon. Mulligan did what he does best, he harried defenders, chased down lost causes and generally caused concern for the visitors’ defence. On this form, his use as a impact substitute rather than as a starter is bound to be questioned.
Chance after chance was created but only rewarded with a string of near misses or being thwarted by very good goalkeeping from Stanley’s Kenny Arthur.
Dennis Oli was beginning to wreak havoc down the right hand side and debutant loanee, Charlie Daniels recovered from a nervous start to offer a similar threat on the left. It was somewhat ironic that after a series of clean hit efforts that had flashed narrowly wide or high that a half-hit shot from Oli found its way past Arthur, following a good cross by Daniels, to give Gillingham their lead.
Curtis Weston, fresh from having his loan spell made permanent, produced a fine display in the centre of midfield and deservedly won the man of the match award. In the centre of defence Richards and King combined well to counter the tricky skills of Jamie Clarke, on loan from Blackburn Rovers, but unfortunately resembling bambi on ice, going down under the slightest challenge.
Front to back, this was an encouraging performance from Gillingham, reservations can be made that they should have won by a much greater margin. Statistics show that the Gills had 20 shots on goal during the match and most supporters would hope for a greater return than a single goal from a high shot tally but on the day that single goal was enough to win what was a very entertaining game of football.
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