Morecambe (0) 0
Gillingham (0) 1 Weston 18
Att. 2,027
Entrance: £13
Programme: £3
Mileage: 625/4,718
New Ground: 228
Match Report
The fact that we had witnessed another Gills away win (two in a season warrants the word another) made a horrendous journey home just a shade more bearable. The weather that had deteriorated during the second half at Christie Park followed us virtually all the way home, making driving both difficult and very wearing. It is a long, long way to Morecambe anyway without the added difficulties of such poor conditions.It would be great to report that added to the victory we had seen a sparkling performance from our favourites, but with a difficult pitch and the worsening conditions being major contributory factors, I’m unable to say it was a classic. But I can relate that it was a thoroughly deserved and workmanlike display that earned the points.
Despite the early morning rain in Kent which we quickly left behind we made good time on the journey north. As a first visit to Morecambe we had no idea of the ground’s proximity to the town and were unaware that we would reach Christie Park before we reached the sea, or Eric Morecambe’s statue both of which we would have liked to have seen. A hearty rendition of “Bring Me Sunshine” was played just prior to the teams taking the field and those of a certain age amongst us enjoyed both the singalong and, for some, the dance-along with our hands behind our head etc., those that can remember the Morecambe and Wise show will easily picture the scene!
Gillingham took the lead on 18 minutes with Curtis Weston side footing in after Gary Mulligan’s shot came back off a post. Aside from a couple of timely interventions from Simon King the visitors enjoyed a comfortable first half with the only downside being the injury and substitution of Dennis Oli, who had been a constant threat the Shrimpers. It seems to me that Oli has been a man on a mission since his return from injury and in yesterday’s cold (though not quite as arctic as recently) conditions he was a muscle pull waiting to happen with his lightning bursts of pace that was admirable but ultimately his undoing.
The second half was a lot less comfortable with the home side taking the game to their visitors in search of a goal and the added complication of the howling gale that now engulfed Christie Park. But with the exception of a couple of routine stops and one excellent save from Simon Royce, Gillingham “weathered the storm” and in the last couple of minutes had a couple of good chances to extend their lead.
This was, as they say, the type of game that Gillingham need to be picking up maximum points if they are going to make a meaningful challenge at the top end of the Division. This they duly achieved and it was the type of performance that will bring a lot of satisfaction to their management team.
Christie Park is a old fashioned ground that has had one major stand added to attain Football League status. This is has the standard Meccano look that is functional and plenty good enough for their needs. The away support were housed in an older structure that had pillars obstructing some vision, but as we had the whole of the stand to ourselves there was plenty of room to find a spot offering a good view. The main grandstand is a fine old edifice, with a couple of sheets of corrugated needed to bring it to good condition. These stands are not things of beauty but lend a character to a ground that the modern version fails to do. Opposite was an open area, its main attraction being a manually operated scoreboard. Christie Park is not an arena of great facilities, a pot holed car park, portaloos and a burger van, but it is a traditional football ground and these I value.
It took 625 miles and ten hours plus driving to complete the days’ entertainment, but as Gillingham away wins are still thin on the ground, that alone makes it worthwhile.
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