Gillingham (2) 3 Kedwell 11,13 (2 pens) Hollands 59
Milton Keynes Dons (2) 2 Bamford 26, 30
Att. 5,410
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/2,215
Match Report
Two down and a man light following the second of two penalties, MKD never strayed from their ethos of passing the ball from the back to the front, they fought back to level the scores and having fallen behind once more they had Gillingham fans on the edge of their seats as they made light of their man disadvantage.
In Patrick Bamford we witnessed first-hand one of the principle problems of English football and the lack of talent emerging to make up the next generation of national team players. Bamford, now 20, was quality and I was left to wonder just how good he would have been had he not been suffocated at Chelsea by ready-made foreign imports during his formative teenage years. I’ve little doubt that he will go on to be a Premier League player, but I very much doubt it will be with his parent club.
Following their first win of the season at Crewe, Martin Allen opted to go with the same side.
It was referee Linington who took centre stage in the first 15 minutes and who’s not to say that he got each one of three decisions absolutely correct. After eight minutes, MKD had a penalty appeal when Danny Green went down following a challenge from Joe Martin, the referee saw it as simulation and Green was booked. Three minutes later, at the other end of the field, Mr Linington was pointing to the spot after Cody McDonald drew a mistimed challenge by ex-Gillingham loanee Tom Flanagan. Danny Kedwell blasted the ball past Joe Martin’s brother, David, to open the scoring. Such is Kedwell’s surety from the spot these days; it drew an unwise comment from myself “that I could remember when he missed them”. It seemed a kiss of death when just a couple of minutes later a second spot kick was awarded.
McDonald, this time sprinting clear of the MK defence following a through ball from Charlie Lee, was once again felled by Flanagan, who this time saw a red card for his troubles. Kedwell saved me having to eat my words as this time he smashed his kick straight down the middle as Martin dived to his right.
Alan Smith, the ex-Leeds player, these days sporting long flowing locks akin to Robbie Savage and bringing with them an element of friendly banter from the Rainham End was brought on to compensate for the loss of the centre half. Karl Robinson also made the bold decision that he needed a presence up top and brought on one of Gillingham’s foremost nemesis, Izale McLeod, who as usual provided a significant threat.
Robinson was rewarded for his resourcefulness on 26 minutes when Green’s cross was met by Bamford’s head to reduce the arrears and four minutes later the comeback was complete for the 10 men, when a defence splitting pass from Shaun Williams found Bamford through on goal and the young Chelsea loanee coolly shot past Stuart Nelson for his tenth goal of the season.
Bamford showed some fallibility at the start of the second half shooting hopelessly wide, before, just on the hour mark, Michael Harriman provided a peach of cross to the head of Danny Hollands who scored from close range despite the efforts of Martin getting a hand on the ball.
Nelson saved at his near post from another Bamford header before the game took its final twist a quarter-hour from time. The Dons’ keeper was laid stricken on the ground as Nelson put the ball into touch to allow his counterpart attention. With all substitutes used, a heavily immobilised Martin had to continue.
Gillingham failed to take advantage of the situation and in the remaining time, plus six minutes of added time, just the once, with a gentle cross down the throat of the goalkeeper, was Martin tested.
MKD pressed on, Callum Davies was asked to make one last ditch, virtually game winning tackle, leaving the Gills’ fans nerves in tatters, but eventually referee Linington’s final whistle was greeted with cheers, mainly those of relief. But back to back wins are going to do no harm to the confidence of the side as the sanctuary of lower mid-table is reached.
The afternoon had begun with due respects being paid to two Gillingham strikers from old. Tony Cascarino was the legend to receive the crowd’s acclaim, whilst a minute’s applause was observed to mark the passing of a true Gillingham legend, Ernie Morgan, who had died on Thursday. The afternoon ended with due respect being given to both sides who served up a most entertaining game, but significantly to a Milton Keynes team that is doing its best, with pleasing football, to bury the franchise stigma.
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