It was a cold and windswept January afternoon in the Medway Stand, it really don't seem to matter where you sit in this stand, when that wind blows in, the game might as well be in Lancashire. Not helped by the fact that both me and my companion for this game had been under the weather itself for most of the week. Surprised we managed to turn up let alone the players! Anyway nothing like a freezing your nuts off and few beers to blow away the cobwebs, also helped by the warming of Scally's generosity of two tickets for a tenner, just don't mention it to any passing season ticket holders! We started the afternoon off with the usual real ale and meeting with a couple of Cod Army supporters who had made the long trek down South, clearly hoping that they could travel back with a point - well they was clearly full of good humour and were still supping when we left. To be honest before this game a point is something i would have settled for too. The conditions were certainly something Fleetwood would be more used to than us Southern softies. The visitors certainly made the early running and probably deserved the lead in the 13th minute. It just looked like it was going to be one of them days. Me and my mate had a debate over their number 10, i felt he was fouled, my mate felt he wasn't, and clearly the Rainham End also felt the lad was cheating, I will leave that to the video replays. However, we are Gills and hardened to this stuff, even if the home side did leave it until the second half before pulling one back, Eaveeees.... Overall, the boys in red came for a point and looked pretty much settled for that as early has the 46th minute, it was at this point I thought it's going to be a long afternoon....or was it sooner. But Eaves warmed us up and from that point on it was mostly Gills up for the game. I thought Hessy had a good game but felt that Parker might benefit from more movement. The latter being substituted quite rightly in the 83rd minute. Earlier in the game Zak was taken off in the 61st, not sure the reasons why but i had noted he seemed to be struggling from kick-off, maybe i'm mistaken but is the lad carrying an injury? Anyway the changes did good and we pressed for a second, justly rewarded with it from the penalty spot in the 90th minute...and this is what changes games, that constant pressure until the final whistle. It brought new life into Fleetwood but all a little too late. If the visitors had come to play with more confidence and played to win the game maybe it might have been a different story. Overall i felt our game play was better than the previous home game against Rochdale, albeit i was struggling to see us getting the three points. But that was more to do with the quality of the opposition than anything we was doing wrong. So from relegation fodder to 10th in the table and only seven points off the play-offs...did i just mention the play-offs! In the words of Radio Kent, in all the years of following the Gills there is something new under Steve Lovell, and that is the disappearance of the naysayers, that's how much we are all in agreement of the job he has done. My mate got his usual slot on Radio Kent and quoting his words 'onwards and upwards' Up the Gills
Ps. Just seen a clip of the second half wonder save by Holy from a header after a cross in from that man Madden again. Also noted that a little helping hand in the back from Ogilvie probably prevented the opposing player from making perfect contact.
A win is a win and three more points on the board. Steve Lovell has achieved wonders with the team so far and only confirms his earlier potential within the 'Gang of Four'. As far as being the 'Messiah'.....I'll leave any thoughts of that until after 5pm next Saturday away at Wigan. Remember our game there when we were 2-0 up only to lose 3-2 at the death. Yes we are the form team fashioned from a bunch of 'bargain basement players' and long may the success continue, but don't expect too much next week. Wigan have still got the majority of their Championship side and are justifiably favourites to go straight back up as champions. It will be a good test and our lads, being who they have become, will do their best. Let's get right behind them and Steve Lovell.....we could be watching the start of something special.
Yep, only too well. It could have been so different. A dreadful mistake by Nels - I gave him the benefit of the doubt at the match as I wondered whether the wind had caught it, but in fact it was gun barrel straight and went through his hands. And an almost wonder goal from a free kick from Dack that came off the bar or post. Such are the fine margins on which games are won and lost. Next Saturday will be more of a challenge than that game. If they can outplay West Ham.... Still looking forward to it though. The last game I went to was the beginning of the renaissance at Peterborough, and I'm now looking forward to the forthcoming games up here a damn sight more than I was before that Peterborough game, regardless of the result next Saturday.
Cold, wet, windy, but what a wonderful day out. The Wigan team must be shaking in their boots at the prospect of facing us next Saturday, the Wigan supporters have a pain in their neck looking up the form table at Gillingham above them. https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/league-one/form-guide/eight Am I being just a tad over confident, or has the mind suddenly gone.
Dare I say a bit of both.. But we have to dream and believe. The odds at the bookies will show what they think, but I wonder what the odds were on Newport getting a draw against Spurs yesterday.
