Gillingham 0 Chesterfield 2

Match 45/10/863 - Tuesday, 25 January 2011 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 0
Chesterfield (1) 2 Smalley 13, 48
Att. 4,770

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 45/7,012

Match Report

Disappointing defeat, but no real complaints. Chesterfield arrived as the League leaders and departed with a six point cushion at the top of the table.

Gillingham showed plenty of endeavour, had the lion’s share of both possession and chances, but fell to the old sucker punch of being caught on the break. Chesterfield showed all the qualities required to gain promotion from the bottom tier. Resilient in defence, a goalkeeper whose hands were a magnet to the ball and a front two that caused problems and took two of only three opportunities that were afforded to them.

Curtis Weston ducked a tackle on 13 minutes allowing Manchester City loanee Javan Vidal the freedom of his right flank to cross to an unmarked Deane Smalley who was headed home with ease from the edge of the six yard box. Gillingham instantly replied with a shot from Cody McDonald that was brilliantly turned aside by Chesterfield ‘keeper Tommy Lee. From the resultant corner, Lee was once again called upon to make a fine stop from McDonald’s header.

That set the pattern for the first half; Gillingham dominating possession but chances were going begging or being repelled by Lee at regular intervals.

The second half began with a second goal for the visitors and putting the game almost out of reach of the hosts. A through ball from Dwayne Mattis allowed Smalley a clear run on goal. He rounded Alan Julian and slid the ball into the net, much to the delight of the small contingent of Chesterfield fans soaked by the persistent drizzle. From a distance, Smalley certainly looked offside.

Andy Hessenthaler responded by introducing Luke Rooney, Jack Payne and Stefan Payne into the action. Rooney, looking for a repeat of Saturday’s heroics, volleyed on target but the shot was straight at the perfectly positioned Lee. The goalkeeper was not going to be beaten and further efforts from Akinfenwa, Rooney and Kevin Maher all found the keeper at his frustrating best.

A second defeat in 10 games for the Gills and it is time to dust themselves down and start another run. The positives that can be taken are that they have been far from disgraced against the league leaders and will not come up against their likes too many times between now and May.