Chesterfield 0 Gillingham 1

Match 54/12/1007 - Saturday, 23 February 2013 - League Two

Chesterfield (0) 0
Gillingham (0) 1 McDonald 48
Att. 5,235

Entrance: £19
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 413/4,328
New ground: 253

Match Report

A day that began badly with a flat car battery car ended with the celebration of Gillingham’s record-breaking 11th away victory of the season and the news that Tunbridge Wells had reached the last eight of the FA Vase, another magnificent achievement.

A light dusting of snow was on the ground as I found to my horror that the car was not about to start anytime soon. An emergency call to my brother, who I was supposed to be giving a lift to, meant a change of car (and driver) for the journey to Derbyshire.

Ultimately this was a game that Gillingham won far more easily than the single goal scoreline suggests and the seven minutes of added time that the referee saw fit to add to the end of the match caused more consternation than the original ninety had previously.

My first visit to the Proact Stadium, which I found slightly underwhelming, was one that will be remembered as much for the extreme cold as the record-breaking win.

Gillingham bossed this game from the outset and it took a smart save from Tommy Lee to deny Chris Whelpdale after 10 minutes and when Steven Gregory, who gave a much improved performance, sent Cody McDonald clear on goal it took another save from Lee to deflect the ball wide.

Lee was easily the busier of the two keepers as he was needed to make saves from Charlie Lee, Joe Martin and thwart McDonald once more in another one-on-one. Meanwhile, Stuart Nelson was being superbly protected by the centre back partnership of Leon Legge and Adam Barrett.

Only three minutes of the second half had elapsed when Gillingham got the goal their efforts deserved. A right wing corner delivered by Myles Weston was headed home from close range by McDonald, who had managed to find himself a yard of space in the crowded box in front of the 500 or so travelling supporters.

Martin Allen’s recent assertion of playing it safe, “parking the bus”, saw Callum Davies introduced to bulk out the midfield and although it allowed Chesterfield more of the ball than they had previously enjoyed, their strike force was fed on scraps and even those were wasted with shooting from distance that was high, wide and far from handsome.

Jack Lester did manage to put the ball into the net but a linesman’s flag had long since been raised and on the counter attack, Lee was called upon to make saves from his namesake in a Gillingham shirt and a header from Legge.

The board showing seven minutes was greeted with a groan from Gillingham’s supporters, whether this was worry of losing their hard-earned lead or just a wish to get into the warmth of their cars or coaches is a matter of conjecture, but it was the visitors who came closest in the time added when Anton Robinson broke free but placed his shot just wide of the post.

As said, the Proact Stadium is comfortable, but despite its arched main stands that at least dispel the notion of a metal box, the overall feel is one of a pretty soulless place, unlike their old home, the admittedly near derelict Saltergate. The Gillingham fans were housed in the Rubicon Stand, the leg room was good and the viewing unobstructed as should be expected from a nearly new stadium. The price of tea, £2, was too difficult to swallow and despite the cold, I opted to wait for the Thermos flask back in the car.

The warming coffee was also used to toast Tunbridge Wells’ magnificent victory in the west country at Larkhall that saw the club earn a home quarter final tie with Hadleigh United from Suffolk. The car might have failed to splutter into life earlier in the day, but with two of my clubs managing to rewrite the history books, there is a lot of life left in the season.