Having watched all but two of Gillinghamâs entire league fixtures this season, the prospect of meeting Peterborough United on our own Priestfield turf was a tantalising thought but one also partially filled with dread. The Gills languishing at the wrong end of the league one table conceded seven goals in their last two league games both away, at Rotherham 4-1 and more recently Notts County 3-1. Whereas the Posh are riding high in the playoffs, their most recent league victory 1-0 at home against automatic promotion contenders Wolves, subsequently followed by their 5-0 mauling of Tranmere Rovers in the second round of the FA Cup. So before even starting out for the game it was not so reassuring to remember her-indoors words still echoing around in my head from the evening before, when she suggested we are going to get âsmashed!â This brought on flash backs of my trip to Molineux back in August when Wolverhampton Wanderers gave us a 4-0 drubbing. However, personal thoughts of positivity and banter were actually much in call and needed, well what else you got after twenty games in of counting every valuable point to keep clear of the dreaded relegation zone. Maybe my passion was heightened after receiving a much welcomed tweet this morning from Leon Legge stating âfans can play a massive part in team confidence and be that extra man to win games. Positive support is vital at homeâ Chairman Scally certainly helped do his bit in that department with a Christmas incentive of £10 for this game, although when you are not doing so well, the glory hunters tend to stay away whatever the cost. Yet the modern game does not get much cheaper than this and for the team to do well we need to get behind them. Peterborough I believe had just over 500 supporters in the away end. Myself I started out with a few pints of pre-match ale which always helps any call for merry spirits. Maybe I had one too many though because I could have sworn I saw Father Christmas walking about in a blue outfit in the stadium! Although going on the first half Santaâs eleven little helpers on the pitch apart from the first ten minutes struggled to get in it. We all realistically knew who was going to be on the score sheet today and on the 12th minute Assombalonga opened the scoring for the visitors. After that did our heads drop or were the Posh just way too powerful? I was grateful when half-time came it was just becoming so one sided and unbearable to watch. But this is Gills and why I was in a positive mood before the game because we always perform when up against bigger sides, although this season up until now that had gone slightly awry. To the second half and our Priestfield church was about to rock. On 51 minutes the Gills got a free kick just outside the box, kicking towards the Brian Moore Stand goal, I looked across and at that moment turned to my son and said either Jake or Martin could loop this over the wall into the top corner. No sooner a word spoken, when bang the ball looped over the top and rustled the back of the net 1-1. What a goal! Martin left footed, top right. The Gills now had a foot hold back in the game and suddenly we saw passion, heart, guts and energy that paid off in the 70th minute when Cody then put the Gills 2-1 up. The crowd erupted. The crowd were rocking, using home advantage against the referee at every call. Trouble was with 20 minutes left on the clock plus stoppage time the battle had only just begun. Peterborough so strong and they just kept coming at us, ever home shirt just throwing their body on the line to keep the opposition out. We were then relying on the pace of Weston to give us the occasional breather...then Codyâs through, the crowd are on their feet screaming this could be our moment of glory every football supporter in the land dreams, our number ten streaming forward, now one on one with the keeper, Cody can do it, he can do... Aaaarrrggghhh!!! saved! If that had gone in it would have been game over. Due to the referee having to be replaced nearing the end of the game, there was eight nerve racking minutes added time and it was one of those moments where you just have to try and hold on for dear life. This is where your mental agility comes in to play as you count the minutes down on the clock and then in the final minute of the game Peterborough get a corner. Assombalonga is mixing it up in the six yard box, stay with him Davies, stay with him. The referee intervenes I think he has a word with the number nine. There was an opposition player loose on the edge of the box, canât remember who, Davies looks up and moves out towards him. Ball comes in from corner, scramble in the six yard box, damn...goal 2-2 that man Assombalonga again.
I expected a comfortable Peterbrough win,so it feels weird to be disappointed with a point from the game.I thought we started well for ten minutes,then Peterborough scored and we looked second best for the rest of the half.We started the second half well,and equalised in the 51st minute.We won a free kick,Martin stepped up and put it past their keeper.It was like his Free-kick at Crewe earlier in the season.He should be our permanent free-kick taker now.We battled well and took the lead in the 71st minute,Weston who played well when he came on set up Cody who leaped well to head past Olejnik.We looked a threat on the counter with Weston`s pace,but credit to Peterbrough who looked a class side.They pass the ball really well,they press when they don't have the ball,and they never give up.They will be right near the top two come May. The ref picked up an injury,and had to go off and be replaced by the fourth official,so that took a lot of time.There ended up being 8 minutes of added time,but I didn`t think it took that long even with the injury and the subs.Cody was put put through on goal in stoppage time with just Olejnik to beat,but he hit it low instead of high,so their keeper managed to save it.Usually you would back Cody to score that kind of chance.With Peterbrough`s pressure you knew they would equalise,as we could not keep hold of it and Assombalonga equalised with just about the last kick of the game.It hurt as we gave a very good second half performance,but I think we all would have taken a point before the game. MOTM- I would give it to Jake Hessenthaler who played like a younger version of his Dad.He battled well and was creative aswell.Gregory came on for Hollands and did well,and we have missed him.Harriman had a good game,as did Dack,and Weston looked a big threat when he came on.
Yesterday was a strange mix of emotion, I wasn't expecting much from the game, but the ebb and flow of the game left me emotionally drained at the end. The first half pretty much went as expected, after bright start for the Gills, Posh took control of the game, passing it around well but not really creating that much. The goal itself I thought came against the run of play, Nelson spilling a shot from outside the box, in his defence he could have been unsighted but I couldn't tell from my vantage point, and Assonbalonga doing what every good strikers does, following up the shot placed the ball into a unguarded net. Game over I thought, as the players heads dropped. That said I thought it was an Ok performance, improved from the Notts County debacle last week, with one notable exception; McDonald. In the first half he simply did not look bothered, he didn't make space for himself, didn't chase down the opposition and giving away stupid fouls. Case in point when Nelson spilt a shot Assombalonga was in the box to pick up the ball, late in the first the Posh keeper also spilt a shot but Cody was nowhere near the box, cue angry twitter reaction from me. The second half was a revelation, the Gills looked sharper, stronger and more confident. The introduction of Gregory allowed Dack and Hessy jr push forward more, and Weston pace causing havoc in the Posh back line. We must have rattled them as they start to moan, whinge and cheat, a style more associated with their manager's old man teams. After a cracking Martin freekick, and a top notch header from the maligned Cody, we found ourselves in front. We had a great chance to make it 3-1, sadly missed, and the Posh upped their anti-football style and ground out an equaliser in the last few minutes of the game, soul destroying stuff. Whatever Taylor said at half time did the trick, and if we can continue to play with the same level of passion and commitment we should be Ok in the league. On a personal note, I liked what I saw from Cody in the second half and will happily admit I was too critical of him if he continues to play like that, but the jury is still out for me. Man of the match: Gregory, always made himself available and his distribution was effective
A valuable point which so easily could have been 3 against a side who will be in the play offs at least. As was said in previous posts Gills started off quite well and Posh scored against the run of play. After the goal though Posh took over and the Gills team and defence started to look shaky. I think the game changed again when Weston came on for Whelpdale who was limping but was poor again anyway. Weston gave as a new dimension as we had no width or pace. Gregory also came on for Hollands at the same time and help the defence with some good interceptions. The second half was much better with the two subs making a real difference and young Dack and young Hessy never worried about getting the ball and moving it around. Martin scored a lovely free kick and from Weston cross a fantastic header from Cody and Gills were winning. As was said before if only Cody lifted the ball over the keeper we could have won the game. Unforturnley Posh score in injury time from a back heel from there top scorer. Would definitely have taken a point before the game started and the second half showed a lot more desire and passion which could keep us in this division. I like the look of Jake Hessy who was no afraid of getting the ball and tough in the tackle like the old man or Jake Payne.
Great read. And well done you Gills. Great result and sounds as though it could have been an ecstatic one with a bit more luck.
