A bias view from the Medway Stand. On Saturday 17th November 2012, League Two leaders Gillingham took on Morecambe at Priestfield Stadium. I had earlier in the week checked Morecambeâs away record which read won three, drawn one and lost four, good statistics for a team occupying mid-table. Although looking through our fixture listings, this was a game where I expected us to pick up the three points, to keep us clear of the chasing pack. I arrived at the ground to take to my seat about 10-15 minutes before kick-off, collecting my usual £3 match day programme after entering the turnstiles. I was going to cut my costs on this seasonâs programmes but am quite impressed with the content for our centenary season. A turn to the centre pages featured a match back on the same date in 1979 against Bury, noting the cost of that magazine at 30p! Turning further in to this match day magazine and the section titled âCrowded Houseâ and a look back at the Gills versus Everton in front of 17,817 supporterâs, I was there and you were not standing of your own accord but were more or less carried along with the Rainham End wave. Anyway that is enough of my own nostalgia turning to todayâs game. Was Super Bob Taylor really in block five of the Rainham End? Then you have to admire the two Morecambe fans that hitch hiked all the way to Priestfield to raise money for what I believe was their training ground. That is true supporters showing the passion in the heart of a lower league fan. Not quite sure how they were getting back home. The match kicked-off and within two minutes a cracking left foot shot from Matt Fish appeared to have to be tipped over the bar by the Morecambe keeper Barry Roche. Gillingham gave a good account in the first half as they pressed forward on the oppositionâs goal but Morecambe were not here to roll over and used their strength to stifle the Gills. With the Shrimps even attempting attacks of their own down the right with one on ones between Frampton and number seven Izak Reid, all to no avail apart from one goal mouth scramble. However, Gillingham were far the better side and thoughts were turning to the 0-0 score line fast approaching half time, until the 39th minute when Lewis Montroseâs shot found the back of the Morecambe net. A deserved goal for the home side and on the balance of things the Gills deserved their 1-0 lead at the break. So to the second half and a few concerns from the first 45 minutes began to raise their head. Morecambe I can only best describe as a typical league two style team. Read into that what you choose but we appeared to allow them to frustrate us or using my own words get under our skin, with what in my opinion was a certain type of gamesmanship. At the forefront of that was Morecambeâs number eleven Kevin Ellison. I could not truly tell what was happening or what words were being exchanged on the pitch but Ellison was certainly making his presence and physical strength felt. Another name to note was number ten Richard Broadie. Between them they turned the balance of the game, which was completely different to the first half and started to cause me some concerns. But that appeared to be Morecambeâs game plan and when they equalised in the 68th minute it appeared job done and they had earned the point they had come for. I started to understand why the opposition had a good away record. Morecambe underestimated several things though. You may stifle our fancy football, passing and snatch the ball before brain had chance to engage with feet. You were also good at closing us down and winding us up but when Ellison appeared to want to get involved in an incident in front of the Rainham End and with what ever happened with Broadie in front of the Medway Stand there was only ever going to be one outcome. The 13th Man came on. Morecambe failed to do their homework properly and did not pick up a copy of that valuable match day programme I mentioned earlier. Look on the back page it reads... 13 The Rainham End. The volume went up, the atmosphere became electric and the Gillingham players were sucked towards the vacuum. Myles Weston launched several attacks down the left. His opposing number failed to do what a player like Charlie Lee would have done in such a situation and allowed several crosses to come into the box. We had already had an act of genius with manager Martin Allen bringing on Deon Burton up front in the 76th minute. Burton managed to force Roche out of his box and the cross to Kedwell on open goal was headed wide. The game was into the 93rd minute, we had managed to keep our discipline which was a vitally important aspect of this game against the visitors and we reaped just reward in the dying seconds when Deon Burton smashed home the winner in front of that 13th Man. To say I went absolutely crazy with celebration would be an understatement. The whole ground just totally erupted, the feeling was good. I have said it several times this season we are watching something different. Do not get me wrong, Morecambe were good at what they did but the best team won. So while they were still scraping my hysteria off the Medway Stand roof the final chorus tuned to...Ellison whatâs the score? Man of the Match went to Lewis Montrose but who should I give it too? You know what I am so elated, I do not care but for the fun of it... Should it go to Martin Allen for a genius substitution of Deon Burton and 15 minutes of presence up front? Sorry Mad Dog this one has to go to the number 13, I am sure you will understand for sending Ellison home with a message they can only best deliver, all in the name of gamesmanship of course. Start to believe. Top of the League and second place Port Vale drew and third place Cheltenham lost. Seven points clear. Well done lads.
You were not too biased brb but you may have been a bit half hearted in praise for Morecambe. They played quite a nice passing game and deserve credit for coming out for the second half with huge determination to get something and they nearly succeeded. I thought Montrose was streets ahead in terms of MOTM but we had a few sub par performances from some of the Gills players today but as a team they deserve credit for battling through. I thought Ellison was a complete pain in the butt so far as the Gills were concerned and caused no end of trouble. We should sign him
brb, that was a truly wonderful match report. Particularly about the 13th man. It is an indication of how much the supporters can mean to the outcome of a match. I hope that 13th man can become more involved. Not just when someone winds them up I also hear that Ellison gave a to the crowd after the game when he was being given some stick. If that's the case, fair play to him. Nothing wrong with dishing it out, so long as you take it back in good spirit. Onward and upward.
It is funny how brb's comments differ significantly from those I heard on the Gills Player. By all accounts the online commentary suggested that Morecambe were well deserving of a point and we stole one at the end. Still it proves how far we have come under Allen, the last couple of seasons I feel the last two games we would have lost under Hessy instead of snatching a draw and a win respectively. Also I would like to mention the contribution of Burton this season. His goals have been crucuial this season and I can remember someone saying that 30year plus strikers don't score goals *cough* birstol *cough*
Not the best performance this season, but MA picked a team he thought would do the job against tough, tall, physical opponants. We did lack a bit of flair in the team, and once Morecambe got the equaliser I was thinking we could lose this.. and Ellison, despite the stick he was getting, was looking threatening (He has always in my opinion been a class act at this level). Yet again MA made the right subs at the right time, and we just about deserved the victory after throwing everything at them in the last 10-15 minutes. Burton's control and stike oozed class, whilst I also thought the that Monty was immense in the holding midfield role (Jack who??). My only main concern is that Frampton, despite his effort (and improved fitness), is no left back as he was stuggling with the pace of their right winger Reid.
BSG - maybe my subtle bias showing through - lol No more seriously though and as purely a personal opinion, I think the commentary is poor on Gills Player, several times I have clicked the opposition commentary to listen to instead. The best way I can describe the difference is to say Gills Player commentators appear to lack some passion in how they come across. What I mean by that is that there is probably an element of truth in the commentators portrayal of the game, see Bristol's comments to support that. However, you have to take the positives which were we overcame Morecambe's style of play and took the three points and at the end of the day, nothing else matters in the eyes of the home supporters hearts. So my polite message to Gills Player commentators is grow some passion and liven it up a notch, your becoming boring and predictable. Otherwise I will continue to get the real feel of the game when I tune in from the opposition commentators. Oh well that will be another Christmas card list I am crossed off!
Well BSG, I am delighted to acknowledge that Burton has exceeded my expectations and I fully agree that he has contributed some vital goals none more so than yesterday. His close control has been first class and if the ball drops on his head in the penalty area he will connect. But lets be realistic, he has only lasted 90 minutes once and it looks difficult for him to run 30 yards or contribute more than 30 minutes at a high tempo. He can continue to prosper as out "Kevin Phillips" for the rest of this season and with all Gills possession I expect him to hit a dozen or so goals but there is no escaping it, he is on borrowed time and as a generalisation (with rare exceptions) 36 year olds will not score goals for long.
brb I agree that the commentary on Gillsplayer isn't great but unfortunately I don't get much choice in how I hear/watch the game up north. Normally general reflect of the game between the here and gills player are quite similar but in this case I noticed it was very different, I guess you may have been swept along with the passion of a late winner. Bristol I was a bit cheeky bringing up the "don't score goals" comment, but I also have been impressed with Burton's impact. You are right that he is on borrowed time, but I don't think he was brought as a 90 minute per game player. Allen seems to be getting the best out of him using him sparingly and long may it continue
BSG - strangely enough despite getting swept along with the passion of a late winner, I stayed up to watch MOTD late last night and was surprised by how good Burton's winner actually was. Funnily I mentioned it to her indoors and she said could you not see it from where you was sitting and my response was a clear view but with the even clearer take of a tv image I was even more astounded of how good it was. I suppose if it had finished 1-1 or if we had dare to concede a late goal, then maybe in fairness my take might have mirrored Gills Player more. However, Ellison without doubt would have still been a main feature of the story, maybe changing slightly from villain, to Morecambe saviour. It's good in a way, because sometimes you come away from a game and think how do you reflect on it. Reporters might take a note book or camera, I just reflect from an ageing memory and this season I am finding that so much easier.
Leaving the ground yesterday I was obviously happy with the win, we hadn't had our best game but felt we deserved the 3 points so it's with some surprise that I keep reading comments and reports suggesting that a draw would have been a fair result. Not wanting to rely on just my old, somewhat biased memory I have checked the stats for the game. Shots.............Gills 16 Morecambe 9 on target........Gills 9 Morecambe 4 Corners..........Gills 9 Morecambe 3 So thier goal was under more than twice us much pressure as ours and conceded twice as many goals which seems about right and fair to me.
How old is Jamie Cureton? And Jack Lester kept banging em in till his 50's I reckon if he is played regularly Deon will get a lot more than 12. I don't think many of our side have regularly played the full 90 mins, especially the forwards. So its a bit unfair to say Deon can't play games out. it's just that he's not being asked to.
