Burton Albion was the visitors to Priestfield on Saturday 24th September 2011, for the League Two game against Gillingham. The Gills appeared to lose the toss before kickoff yet again, as the visitors chose to kick towards the Town End (away fans) in the first half. A promising start it appeared for the Brewers in the opening ten minutes, with the Gills being on the defensive. A stark contrast it was going to be, compared to the Gills previous game when they thrashed Hereford away 6-1. However, with a strong back four of Frampton, Lawrence, Richards and Fish in for the injured Fuller, there was no way through. Despite Burtons good opening ten minutes, on the eighteenth minute the game was to change, when loan striker Frank Nouble was like a greyhound out of the stalls down the left and the Burton number fifteen Ryan Austin, could do no more than concede a free kick. Then on the twentieth minute mark, Danny Kedwell headed home the Gills opening goal of the game, with his first league goal from open play and right in front of the Rainham End. The delight on Keds face was clear for all to see, probably one of slight relief as well after nine games. It just felt at this moment in time, one of complete elation, after watching Burton have us on the back foot, then to witness Noubles pace and Keds goal, it suddenly felt like we meant business. But Burton was not going to do a Hereford and just roll over they had only suffered one defeat in nine games and were prepared to fight back. Then five minutes before half time, Burton equalised, which on balance was a fair half time score line. On a sour note for Burton, just before the break, their number five Tony James came off injured, although it appeared he had struggled to keep pace with Frank Nouble in the first half, was this to be a major turning point for the second half? Within four minutes of the second half, the Gills found the net again, through new boy Frank Nouble, his second goal in as many games. Danny Kedwell was not finished yet either, when a minute later, he scored his second of the game and the Gills were now romping and 3-1 up. Those last five minutes of the first half, was to come back and haunt the Brewers again, when Aaron Webster who was booked in that last five of the first half, went and brought down Danny Kedwell on fifty five minutes, when it appeared Keds was just about to break on goal. The ref showed Webster the red card and Burton was reduced to ten men. Just to add to Burtons misery they had a second player dismissed ten minutes before the end of the game, however, the Gills were to no more capitalise on the game. Danny Kedwell was named as man of the match. The Gills have now scored nine goals in their last two games, with a tough test coming up next Saturday, away at AFC Wimbledon, if the Gills can maintain this free scoring, then they will surely eventually move back into the top three as serious promotion contenders.
2 points - although kedwell had a bit still to do with his first goal i honest believe jackman was outstanding today, his passing movement and dead balls were fantastic, he was tenacious in defence making some crucial tackles and often sprinting back along way to break up burton attacks, my mom. secondly as good as martin and fuller have been for us this season i think we looked better with frampton at lb and fish at rb as they are both defenders first and foremost and help out in attack as and when. dont get me wrong i think fuller and martin are both great players but espically in fuller case we can be caught out with him up by the other teams corner flag, i noticed a few times today fish got up the pitch well with the ball or into space but as soon as the space disappeared or he passed the ball often and the play moved away he was straight back into the defensive line, whereas fuller for me would often go wandering further forward looking for the ball good game great result, ps sign nouble up for the season hess
The change in formation seems to have brought about renewed vigour to the squad. Is this because the players are more comfortable with the formation? Or that with 5 in midfield we seemed to lack responsibility and were to happy to let others do it? Or possibly that now Kedwell has some assistance up top we can keep the ball for longer and it is easier to build attacks? The answer is probably a mixture of these and many more factors. One thing for sure is that the arrival of Nouble (Nooo-blay or Nooo-ball?) and the change in formation that coincided with his arrival has brought about a change in fortunes. Added to this an upturn in form for players like Jackman and Richards and Rooney seemingly stepping up as well and we have every reason to be optimistic again. What would be achievable should all our squad perform to their potential is a thought that could make your mouth water. One thing that I do find totally perplexing though is why on earth when we do well is there a massive reduction in posts? Still small price to pay but worth it. Bring on the real Dons. Kedwell for a hat trick anyone?
Listened to the match via Player as I do every week, we are looking like a formidable team considering after the end of last season we did not look like we had a team, with an exodus of players, so well done Hess and the other backroom guys for all you have done and for the future UTG
i thought we were not that good in the first half although the front two were a handful glad Keds scored when he did. The second half we came out of the blocks quickly and played very well. I thought front two were excellent and midfield played so much better than previous home games even Stefan could have scored. Very pleasing to see after our poor home form this season.
