Using the phrase of another Gills supporter ‘other teams seem to be trying to hand the trophy to the Gills’. If fans were critical of Martin Allen’s team despite being top of the league, then what must it feel like being a Vale fan having only won one of their last seven games. No apologises for that slight smirk that appears on my face. Gillingham despite being on a club record breaking number of away wins had struggled to gain a stranglehold on the league in front of their home supporters before this game. This had brought about a certain amount of criticism not just at the team performances but from the opposite direction in return, that being the echo from the Priestfield corridors regarding the lack of vocal support and the subsequent failings to generate any noise within Priestfield and backing our team. Something I believe which has become the blight of all seat modern stadiums. You had to look no further for evidence of this, than at Aldershot Town the previous Saturday, where a mere attendance of 3,000 terrace standing fans, generated enough atmosphere to grace any world arena. Drummer included. However, on Saturday 9th March 2013, someone turned the electric on in Priestfield and it actually rocked. Maybe it was something to do with the scary eyed look of Mad Dog, as his eyes scanned the stands to see which supporters were getting a bit to comfortable in their seats. I am sure that gaze sent out a clear message. It does not matter if you can not sing but at least get your butt off your seat or applaud the team in encouragement. To my amazement the supporters turned up in their droves, not only filling the Medway, Gordon Road and Rainham End Stands, but also half of the away terrace, to be more precise 10,240 supporters turned up to witness a League Two game, astonishing, even more so because our visitors are facing the stark reality of possible non league football next season. The travelling faithful should also be proud of their contribution to that attendance as 404 of the Green Army turned up to represent their team. Some very brave souls indeed, especially after the previous days downpours, surely no one relished that open top scaffolding. So the volume for once was turned up, as if we were playing a cup game against a Premiership team. No wonder too, when you had the likes of the Gills left back Joe Martin turning in another great performance, this time something more graced to a player from Brazil. Ok, exaggerated but some guy named Steve Evans did once praise us for winning the World Cup. Oh how I await the Easter showdown. Then there was young Bradley Dack who had bags of energy and ran for every ball, selflessly placing passes to his team mates to absolute precision. Proving that the youth development is something to be treasured. Outstanding was our number 19, he might be big lad but quick on the turn. As the Rainham End was to sing, ‘there is only one decent German’, it was he who put us 1-0 up in the first half. So with Danny Kedwell supplying another solid performance and Leonne Legge having one of the Green shirts in his back pocket, things were eventually going to get a little heated as Plymouth became more frustrated. I heard some stats at halftime that we had ten shots on target and the visitors zero! Things were to get slightly better in the second half for our visitors, but with the safe pair of hands of Stuart Nelson between the Gillingham sticks as he pulled off two good saves. Chris Whelpdale added to our tally to make it 2-0, when that only decent German should have found it easier to round the keeper himself to score, only to watch in embarrassment as the ball came off the post. Yet it mattered not who scored, the three points were being added to this table topping side. MA made some substitutions and we did become a little unsettled with the changes, hence Plymouth were to give us a late scare, when we were lucky not to have conceded a penalty due to what appeared a valid handball shout from the Green Army, although it mattered not as moments later the ball found the back of the net for the visitors to make the score 2-1. There may also have been another moment where the referee could have pointed towards the penalty spot, in one of those late moments that every home supporter dreads, when holding on to a narrow lead. Yet no report should go unfinished without mentioning another fantastic performance from Matt Fish who controlled his right back position. Well most of the right flank to be honest. I certainly wished I could watch the first 45 minutes of this style of football every week but I know it is not always realistic but with such a huge attendance it was important on this occasion to ensure the supporters went home with the right result. The Preistfield turf was starting to look a little sorry for itself after another long winter but spring is around the corner and everything certainly blossomed today. MOM Bradley Dack and very much deservedly so, but as Martin Allen would remind us it is a team performance, so to this I request the same starting line up next game please. I today feel privileged to be a season ticket holder, because with only four home games remaining, the whole of the Medway Towns will be waiting to see the grand finale and the possibility of picking up our first title since 1964. I say clearly now, my ticket is not for sale at any price, we have waited for too long. I might not agree with some of the MAdness of Mad Dog when it comes to youth v experience but we are now very close to achieving our dream for this season at least.
Nice write up brb. But did I really read it right? "when you had the likes of the Gills left back Joe Martin turning in another great performance, this time something more graced to a player from Brazil." Did you really put this down for all to see? Wow! Or am I missing some sarcasm?
That is a top report brb What a great weekend for being a Gills fan. The change from negativity to positivity in every corner is amazing. I hope it remains like this to the seasons end.
Fish had two blunders early on both of which we were lucky not to concede from but unlike last season he picked himself and turned his performance round, showing just how much he has I proved and matured. I agree that Martin has been in excellent form all season and it was great to see young sack put in a polished performance which suggests to me that this may have been the level MA was expecting from all our youngsters and hence why some have been let go!
10,240 supporters turned up to witness a League Two game. Wow that is amazing. Now 5 points clear with a game in hand. Looking very good. Although Plymouth are struggling at the bottom, their results don't reflect that of a poor side. I feel sorry for them really as, since the season started, only 4 teams have beaten them by more than one goal (Port Vale twice); and none since Port Vale on 5th Jan.
How could there be 10000 odd there yesterday? I know the Gillingham end was open and the kids with the free tickets are small but it looked as if there was loads of room at that end. The wings of the Rainham end had plenty of space and either end of the Gordon Rd stand had space. I could not judge occupancy level in the Medway where I was. It felt like 6000 max or do I have the wrong impression?
bristol407 The official capacity is 11,582. Away fans numbered 404. This would mean that about a quarter of the Brian Moore stand ( circa 600 ) must have been empty. Then there were blanked seats for segregation - I would suggest that amounted to about 200 or more. This would mean that about ( maximum ) of 10,782 seats would be occupied. The 'official' attendance was given as 10,260. This meant that only about 582 seats other than those in the Town End were empty. What you couldn't see was that there was virtually no vacant seat in the Medway stand.( maybe a small handful at best ) - it was that full. I wouldn't describe the spaces in the Rainham End as plentiful ! I actually doubt that there were as many as 200 empty seats in this stand. - I will have to take your word regarding any spaces in the GRS - although my calculations would allow for about 300 empty seats around me. I actually thought that the attendance was about 9000- 9250 ( to take into account empty seats in the 'home' part of the Town End ) I have seen quite a few home games in my time - and can usually accurately guage the attendance - I wasn't surprised when it was announced- because I suspect that the club have included around 1000 recipients of free tickets who did not attend < I'm not saying that was a tax incentive to announce the attendance to include absentees >
My area in the Medway Stand was packed. Seats that are normally empty around me were taken, a very good indicator of a high occupancy.
