Saturday 5th November 2011, saw Gillingham welcome Northampton Town to the Priestfield, for their League Two, Guy Fawkes spectacular. To be honest, I was expecting a close but dull game between the two sides. This fixture would see a return to Priestfield of the former Gills player Bayo Akinfenwa, who formed an excellent partnership with Cody McDonald last season. My pre match prediction was 1-0 to the Gills with Jo Kuffour as the goal scorer, although on a typical dreary and overcast November day, I was not really looking forward to the thought of 90 minutes boredom to see only one goal, although the pre match drink help lightened the mood. I felt a bit of sympathy for the away fans (just under 300), who you certainly would not envy having to sit on the uncovered scaffolding that is the Brian Moore Stand. Strangely enough the match got off to a positive start before a ball was even kicked, when the Gills won the toss, to kick towards the Town End in the first half, the first time in a long while. The Gills were to have an early scare, when Flitney could only parry a shot and then could only watch as it goes behind him and fortunately hits the post. Then on the 11th Minute the Gills opened the scoring when they went 1-0 up through Jo Kuffour after great play by Nouble and Lawrence. So that was my early prediction of 1-0 with Jo Kuffour as the scorer settled, with thoughts of sitting through the remaining 79 minutes of both teams shutting each other out. How wrong was I to be? Both teams defences were about to leak goals in a thrilling display. The biggest threats to the Gills came from the Northampton number nine Saido Berahino and the number two Lewis Young. The Gills were having difficulties in dealing with their pace but this was much the same problem for the cobblers, who could not deal with the pace of Frank Nouble, who was completely out doing them down the right, along with the eventual man of the match Jo Kuffour. On about 30 minutes the Gills were then to go 2-0 up after a fantastic back heel by Kuffour from six yards out that found its way across the goal line. But this was to be end to end stuff. To my complete dismay who should be the first person that would find a way of undoing our defence, none other than Bayo, who did his typical back to goal, ball to chest, to be parried off chest across the box to Berahino who makes it 2-1. I could not believe it, we were just out done in a manner that we were accustomed to watching last season in a brilliant Gills strike partnership. To say I was cursing would be an understatement, I just watched Akinfenwao do us in typical Bayo style. Then only minutes later, Northampton push forward for another attack this time down the left, the ball is delivered low and dangerous into the Gills box, to which the out stretched leg of Richards has to deal with the danger only to sustain an injury for his efforts and sadly his subsequent substitution. However, Jo Kuffour was not finished yet and scores his hat-trick just before half time from the penalty spot. With the earlier mentioned players in the Northampton side, they were not to give up this game without a fight and by the 60th minute and two goals later the scores were level at 3-3. From an attacking view, it was a mixture of delight and heartache to watch at the same time. Some of the blistering runs from both teams were entertaining. Certainly makes a change from the usual hoof ball and worth the entrance fee for a change. Kuffour may have picked up the man of the match deservedly so but I also wanted to give it to Nouble for his first half performance which led to Kuffours goals. Although the opposition Berahino put in a great contribution and it makes it difficult to understand Northamptonâs league position. Rooney comes in to the game as impact sub in the last 15 minutes of the game, giving his usual energetic contribution, when late on in the game he broke after an excellent combination with Kuffour, in which Rooney was left one on one with the keeper. My heart sank as Rooney somehow missed what was to be one of the best chances of the game, only for the Northampton keeper to stop Rooneyâs shot. The game appeared to be heading towards a 3-3 draw, this was a game where I had read some harsh words before the game of the match day referee, however, in my opinion I did not think he was as bad as reviews suggested, although maybe that was because for a change we got the rub of the green! Still to the finale, if I was a Northampton fan, I would feel extremely hard done by after the journey to Priestfield, because this game was about to end in one of delight for Gills fans as In the dying minutes of the game the Gills were awarded a penalty, the question next was who was to step up and take it? Kuffour or Rooney was in my mind of thought? Rooney walks over with the ball in his hands...he to my surprise handed it to Danny Kedwell, a spot kick towards the Rainham End, can I bear to look, hero or villain... HERO 4-3
Good review of the game, agree with most of the content.Think Jackman deserves a mention though. We also need a right back! UTG!!
