A supporters view from the Medway Stand... League Two leaders Gillingham took a break from their promotion campaign on Saturday 3rd November 2012, to welcome Scun’thorpe United to Priestfield for their FA Cup first round tie. A disappointing reported attendance of 4,016 turned up to watch us take on the League One side. The game was reasonably priced at £15 for adults and I believe £5 for under 16’s. It was a cold but otherwise pleasant day so could not understand some of the sparsely populated areas around the Medway Stand, especially considering the Gills excellent form this season which has catapulted them to the top of the league. On entry to the ground face painting was being done for the younger members and some older one’s if they so chose. There was a voucher offer of a drink for £1 with a food purchase. I believe with recent pricing that the club cannot do much more to attract people to the game without alienating season ticket holders. Martin Allen got the tradition of cup fever under way, by appearing from the tunnel wearing bright red trousers and his Gills tie to delights of humour from the crowd. This game saw the return of ex Gills player Andy Barcham, who was slightly deprived of welcoming applause as the announcer has taken probably on instruction to only announcing the home team and not the visitors, which I find slightly disrespectful before kick-off. To the game itself with the home side kicking towards the visitors Brian Moore Stand, the first half seemed a balanced affair but with the boys in red, white and blue doing much of the attacking. Matt Fish made his mark on Andy Barcham very early on to silence any possibility of attacks down the wing. Matt Fish seemed a league class above with his movement and foresight on the ball. If my old favourite Barcham was League One then Fish was Championship class. Even Chris Whelpdale found pace I never even realised he had to come back in support. Danny Kedwell was on the bench, maybe with thoughts ahead for our tough league encounter with Cheltenham at home on Tuesday night. However, Burton was a more than adequate replacement and with the darting runs and turning ability of Weston in support they kept the Scun7horpe defence busy. The visitors though seemed pretty solid at the back in the first half and it was difficult to tell from my position who it was holding the fort for them. Hoping the second half would reveal more when and if I was closer to play. Half-time 0-0 but I was satisfied, even if deprived of goals and looking forward to some warming refreshments. I just never felt has though Scun7horpe had not threatened us to any degree and the second half held out great opportunity. My only fear at this stage was the game ending in a draw, we really do not need a backlog of games. The second half got under way and the Gills became a master class into their own. An early goal bound shot was desperately cleared off the line but surprisingly we were made to wait another 14 minutes before right back Matt Fish found the back of the net. Goal 1-0 Gills and the flood gates were about to open. The Scun7horpe number two had seemed pretty solid at the back, answering my queries from the first half but their failure to adopt any sort of finishing up front was to be punished further when six minutes later Burton made it 2-0. The Gillingham goals this season come from any player, they are team and that is the difference. There is an air of confidence at Priestfield these days for those that attend, not over confidence because we know only too well the feeling of failure but I was watching something special. Yes, people can say the Scun7thorpe are near the bottom of League One but that wears a bit thin, when time and time again we are putting out displays that we have not seen in a long while. Martin Allen has done something special with our club, so he can wear his red trousers with pride, because he will get respect from all corners of Priestfield and more so from my heart. We are rocking and nothing was going to spoil today’s party. Danny Kedwell came on as a substitution for Burton. The time was perfect as Danny Jackman goes down in the box, he did not have far to fall but it was far enough for the ref to point to the spot. Up steps Keds, 3-0 Gillingham. Shortly afterwards Andy Barcham was substituted for the visitors and duly got his applause, even turning to the home fans and applauding in return. Still the day was not finished and the final humiliation was complete when Adam Birchall came on in the 79th minute after his return from being out on loan and a goal he will treasure in front of the Rainham End on the 90th minute. 4-0 Our day was complete, looking forward to the second round draw and more importantly Tuesday. At least I will not have to work around the site filters for writing Scun7thorpe again! My man of the match Matt Fish without a doubt and well before it was announced as the days official MOM.
Matt Fish was m. o. m. - the transformation has been down to the encouragement I gave before the season started, and the praise I never thought I would lavish on him - seems to have gone to his head ( well, at least his feet ! ) Well done Matt - keep it up ( into the Championship )
second to last sentence in the OP. It disappoints that is all you have to offer. Further explanation is also given at #48 on the relevant match, prediction league thread...http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/175994-Gillingham-v-S****horpe-United-brb-prediction-league thanks brb
The good feature about yesterday was the way Gills raised their game in the second half mainly by pushing forward with Jackman and Fish. The first half had been even but it was total domination in the second 45 mins. On an individual level the performance of Fish was stunning and he achieved the notable feat of being both Gills best defender and most dangerous attacker. Overall though it was a team performance once again.
With all the reports on Matt Fish's form this season, I'm beginning to wonder how long he will be a Gills player. There were (very unsubstantiated) rumours a few months ago linking him with Charlton. At the time I thought "no chance". But I would now not be at all surprised to see his name mentioned more and more in transfer rumours. He is young and has shown an extraordinary improvement in his relatively short time in league football. I hope he continues in that vein and stays with us as we move up the leagues.
matt fish has gone (deservedly) from one of the more dispised members of the gills team by fan to one fo the most loved. its nice to sit in the stands and hear fans complimenting our players for once rather than moaning! this is only year 2 for the young lad of league football and it looks very much like he will have many more to come!!
Matt Fish signed a new contract a few weeks ago! Will take a load of cash to get him away from Gillingham!
And to a very good Championship (plus) side.......Gazza went to the Premiership. Let's hold on to him whilst we can and at least get a couple of promotions with him!!!
