Gillingham (2) 3 Gowling 16, Weston 44, Jackson 77
Wycombe Wanderers (1) 2 Woodman 27, Bentley (o.g.) 62
Att. 5,316
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/3,080
Match Report
Wonderful though holidays are, and we have just returned from an excellent trip to Egypt, most football people hate to be away from their clubs on match day. So, last Saturday, my head and heart were back in Southampton as we cruised down the Nile. It can only be coincidence (surely) that the only hint I had of an Egyptian Tummy came after I received a text informing me of the mauling that Gillingham had suffered at St. Mary’s.Consequently I was more than ready for today’s game against a Wycombe Wanderers side whose poor form had signalled the end of Peter Taylor’s tenure, denying him of a return to Priestfield and the warm welcome he always receives. But, as somebody famous once said, “It’s a funny old game” and in the midst of a really poor first half we had two well-worked Gillingham goals and a superb strike from Wycombe’s full back Craig Woodman that was completely out of character with the pattern of the game.
On a warm autumn day both sides started slowly with a couple of speculative shots failing to raise some much as an “ooh” from a slumbering attendance. Priestfield was as quiet as some of the tombs I had visited a week earlier before an Andy Barcham cross was nodded on by the returning Simeon Jackson for Josh Gowling to head in from close range. It was just the boost that the home side needed as they strived to bring a four game winless run to an end. But the Buckinghamshire visitors, who had hardly threatened, scored a stunning equaliser in the 27th minute. There seemed little danger when a pass was laid back to Woodman, who thundered a shot into the top right hand corner from 20 yards with Simon Royce clutching at thin air.
The game deteriorated further following the goal, neither side having any control, misplaced passes, over-fussy refereeing, in fact it was a real mess. As it meandered its way to the half-time whistle the home side fashioned another goal straight from the training ground. Jack Payne’s long throw was flicked on by Jackson and Curtis Weston stooped to head home from close range.
I certainly had the feeling during the half-time break that another goal for the home side could end with perhaps five or six, but should the next goal go the other way then it was a game that could easily be lost, such was the paucity of defending from both sides. On the hour, it was the visitors that levelled the scores once more. After Woodman’s free kick was cleared the ball was returned to the danger area where ex-Gill Leon Johnson was allowed far too much space to touch the ball goalwards before Mark Bentley lashed his attempted clearance into his own net. Were my half-time fears about to be realized? No, because, as Mark Stimson keeps telling us, we are so lucky to have the little man up front. Latching on to a Gowling clearance, Simeon Jackson produce a sublime chip from the edge of the penalty area as the Chairboys keeper Scott Shearer rushed out to close down the diminutive striker. It was a quality strike that will further enhance his reputation and undoubtedly increase the interest from clubs further up the food chain than our own.
The home side closed the game out with a couple of heart-stopping moments, no more so than a well hit free kick that was spectacularly clutched by Simon Royce. One for the cameras perhaps, but it will have made for a great photo and, of course, it retained the points.
Mark Stimson has made a lot of Simon King’s absence during the week and once again the weakness in the centre of the defence was highlighted. Bentley is not a natural centre half and Josh Gowling needs somebody of strength alongside him. Whilst I’m not a great admirer of Garry Richards, I think it’s time for him to come off the bench and add a bit of old-fashioned central defending to the back line. When in danger, hoof it out, is Richards’ game and whilst it is not pretty I’m sure Gowling will benefit from a physically stronger player alongside him.
Gillingham return to middle of the table security, but with two away games before the Valley Express buses make their shortest journey of the season, I suspect that it might be a short-lived respite. Mind you, I was wrong at half-time, so who am I to make wild predictions!
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