Gillingham (1) 1 Marquis 44
Doncaster Rovers (1) 1 Forrester 40
Att. 5,909
Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3
Mileage: 56/5,176
Match Report
Despite the blue skies above, it was still the elements that prevailed with a gusty wind that played its part in both goals and especially the almost bizarre goal that Gillingham conceded.
The congested nature of the middle of the League One table suggested that home wins over Barnsley last Saturday and Doncaster Rovers were necessary to push Gillingham forward and at the same time inflict damage on fellow contenders. That neither happened has been neutralised to a certain extent by the surprisingly easy 3-0 win at rivals, in every sense of the word, Swindon Town in midweek. The two home games, though it would be harsh to consider them poor performances, gave nothing to suggest that a first win at Swindon in 38 years was on the cards.
Naturally enough, Justin Edinburgh, who was serving a touchline ban for indiscreet comments made to an official at Yeovil, went with the same team that demolished the Robins.
The pitch was heavily watered prior to kick-off which seemed a strange decision and one that seemingly caught out several players, Gavin Hoyte in particular, who had trouble keeping their feet. It was once again watered at half-time, again difficult to understand. The awkwardness of the pitch and the wind contributed to a half in which neither team managed to assert themselves. Stuart Nelson continually found touch with his kick outs in his struggle to master the conditions.
The whole game encompassed itself on the final five minutes of the half. Bradley Dack conceded a free kick 40 yards from goal. The referee who had a compulsion to use his spray on every occasion measured out the 10 yards to everybody's amusement given the distance to goal. Nobody was laughing seconds later.
Harry Forrester's free kick sailed high and goalwards and dipped behind Nelson who had advanced from his line and into the net. Fluke or good judgement of the conditions, only Forrester knows for sure.
As a goalkeeper of considerable standing in my youth (West Kent Sunday League Division Five) I feel empowered to ask the question as to why Nelson felt the need to stray from his line. With the kick so far from goal, the ball was always going to be in the air long enough for him to come and collect should the ball arrive around the six yard box. Had he stayed on his line, I feel sure he would have had a comfortable save to make.
The wind was too have an equalling effect within five minutes. Doug Loft lofted a free kick into the box, the wind held the ball up leaving Stephen Bywater indecisive which in turn allowed John Marquis time to nip in front and plant a header into the corner.
The second half progressed largely without incident, Nelson somewhat redeeming himself with a save from Forrester, but petering out to a point apiece, which is what both teams deserved. The outcome reinforced my opinion that this Gillingham side are not quite ready to contest the play-offs, but hopefully can maintain interest to the season's end.
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