The Spireites despite having not won in their first three League Two games of the season certainly came to Priestfield to frustrate an unbeaten Gills side. No more was that frustration felt than from my seat within the Medway Stand and at some of the official decisions today, particularly in the first half when Chesterfield were playing towards the home fans and the Rainham End. One of absolute disbelief, when a Chesterfield player clearly brought the ball down from mid flight with his hand, causing a scramble in the Gillingham box, the consequences could have been costly as the home fans could only look towards the linesman on the far side. Then later with another Chesterfield attack and an intercepting Matt Fish, saw the ball go out of play purely through his presence and a tackle that made no contact. However, the ref decided otherwise and gave a throw to the opposition putting the Gills under untoward pressure again. The first ten minutes of the first half, showed a confident and solid team performance from the Gills, although I felt those early official decisions played part in a lapse of momentum from the home side. When in the 13th minute the visitors opened the scoring, Chesterfieldâs number 11 Westcarr was left unmarked in the box for an incoming cross, to easily smash the ball into the back of the net from close range to put the visitors 0-1 up. It seemed in part an injustice for the home side promising start but these things happen and mistakes cannot afford to be made at the back. You just knew this was not going to be an easy afternoon and certainly no room for complacency despite Chesterfieldâs early poor run of results for the start of the new campaign. Two seasons back we lost both games home and away against todayâs visitors and certain players were to go on to cause the Gills individual problems. None more so than the Spireites goal scorer, Craig Westcarr, to be honest the player was to be a thorn in our side all afternoon with his pace and ability. The home fans were soon to be back on their feet though, when only eight minutes later Danny Kedwell was to header the Gills level 1-1 with his third league goal of the season from the far post at the Town End (Brian Moore Stand). Ten minutes later Martin Allen made an early substitution in the 31st minute, replacing Lewis Montrose with Jack Payne and although I have no way of knowing his reasons for the change, I believe it indicates his no nonsense approach and only minutes earlier I had noted a lapse by Montrose in the middle of the field. The first half finished with the scores level at 1-1 and I still felt the Gills could go on to take all three points. Although Craig Westcarr was the biggest threat for the visitors, I felt with Barrett holding solid at the back for the Gills and with confident handling from goal keeper Stuart Nelson, we probably just needed that little edge up front. I believed that could come with the assistance of Myles Weston on the left, who looked promising in the first half. That moment of edge nearly came in the second half when a goal bound shot for the Gills, I think by Deon Burton, was cleared off the goal line by Chesterfieldâs number four Forbes. He certainly saved the Spireites day and probably the defining moment that prevented us from taking the three points. Both teams were to continue to push forward looking for that winning goal and some brilliant keeping was called upon by Nelson to ensure the honours remained even. Stuart Nelson is certainly proving to be Paulo Gazzanigaâs ideal replacement. Although Myles Westonâs second half performance did not appear to mirror his first half runs, with Danny Kedwell appearing to do most the running in the middle of the field and leaving Myles Weston, appearing slightly dispensed of services down the left. Chris Whelpdale was replaced by Charlie Allen in another positive change around the hour mark and made an immediate impact on the game, breaking down the right wing and turning in towards the Chesterfield goal, it appeared easier to be selfish and go for goal but instead he played the ball back out to the edge of the box in hope of finding a team mate but for all his efforts were wasted. Why did he just not go on? About 15 minutes from time Adam Birchall was to come off the bench in his long awaited turn for league football and to come on to rapturous applause, of the three substitutions today, I felt Myles Westonâs time was called but it was the number nine on the board that was raised. So I could not decide if the applause were more for the appearance of Birchall or the departure and performance of Danny Kedwell. It mattered not. Man of the Match was named as Barrett although my personal choice was Stuart Nelson. Sadly the final moments of the game, I again turn to the officials. When the ball rolled along the shoulders and down the right arm of Forbes and yes the ref gave a hand ball decision but to our opponents! Then in the dying seconds of the game the ref was dismiss Chesterfieldâs Craig Westcarr for a second bookable offence, it certainly seemed a bit harsh at that stage of the game, although I feel that the earlier booking was at the forefront of the refs mind and the apparent dissent again was to prove costly for the player. That dismissal was too late to play any part in affecting the game which finished 1-1. Delight for Gillingham fans on leaving the ground as we heard that the previous league leaders Oxford had lost and other results had gone our way, seeing the Gills go top of the table. So next Saturday a trip to Barnet in top v bottom of the table.
brb your frustration was probably universal amongst the Gills fans. The linesman on the Gordon Road side was shocking ( as usual) - he actually missed a more blatent, earlier handball by Montrose-(evens it up.) Regarding that throw in - I thought the ball brushed the studs of Fish ( no I'm not looking just to blame him .) I'm impressed that you are so diplomatic towards Montrose. He made an awful mess of 4 passes before Martin Allen took him off. I thought Kedwell did a lot of running today - he was probably exhausted, hence the reason for his substitution. You will probably have noted my praise for Nelson and Barrett - such praise for our defenders in a home match tells anyone how the game was played, so I'm not sure if you have given Chesterfield enough credit. In Hoadie's matchday thread I've said that I hope they are near the top next May - because I hope that very few, if any other team will play as well against us - because on yesterday's performance we will not be top for long.
Stuart Nelson was my man of the match too. To be fair to the sponsors two of his best saves came after their decision was announced. Not sure how they decided on Barrett though.
I was sat right behind Allens dugout and Montrose was hauled off because off his wayward passing just the same as the Bradford game! There were 2 wayward passes in a matter of minutes and he had seen enough and called for Payne immediately and i like this no nonsense style. Flanagan again looked poor and in the 2nd half he nearly cost us a goal and Allen called him over and told him in no uncertain terms to "just head the f**king ball out"!! Was a tough game and if it wasnt for Nelson would have probably lost. We tried playing 4-3-3 with Kedwell, Burton and Weston regularly swapping positions though this led to a more longball game. Thought Barrett did well and also wore the captains armband. The lino on the Medway Stand side was also poor. BRB think you will find the rapturous round of applause was for Birchall coming on as everyone to a man stood as he entered the pitch
It was my first game seeing the Gills this season and although I could tell gills were under no uncertain terms not at their best, we still competed well against a side I feel will be in the mix for promotion come the end of the season. Montrose clearly had a shocker, his head was elsewhere and deserved to come off giving Payne a chance. Adam Barrett was very good, won nearly everything in the air but wasn't helped by Flanagan who didn't look confident on the ball at all! Overall a relatively ok performance, we still haven't lost so it's hard to complain, I sat behind the dug out and was very pleased listening to Allen throughout, he instills a discipline into the side and proved that the sort of performance that Montrose displayed won't be tolerated, and nor should it be. Jack Payne was visibly frustrated not to be starting before the game and who can blame him, in my opinion he is the best passing centre midfielder in the division.
