wow what a game. 6 goals, 4 penalties, 1 player sent off, 35 yard lob, disallowed goal and a Weston header. Well where do you start. First half both teams started brightly then Bayo heads the ball forward for Cody to chase, Cody gets in front of defender who brings Cody down. penalty is the Coventry defender to be sent off, yes after the ref spoke to the linesman. Up steps up Bayo who slots the ball past the keepers left hand side. GOAL. Coventry down to 10 men and 1 nil down. Soon Gills looked like they doubled their lead only for the flag to go up. Second half and both teams were looking to get the ball forward then Coventry attacked down the left and Legge trips the winger to concede a soft penaltyand Coventry make it 1-1. Weston who was having a poor game finally became the hero when his header lobbed under the crossbar and into the net 2-1 Gills. Then with Cody crossing the ball to Bayo, Bayo shoots but hits the post but Cody had been pulled back so although the ref had played the advantage he gives Gills a second chance by awarding a penalty were Bayo scores again. 3-1. Its all over we think but no Legge again trips a player in the box and another penalty. This time Legge is booked but Coventry management fill he should now be sent of. Luckily he stays on but Coventry make it 3-2. Oh no Hessy loses the ball near his goal a Coventry player is about to shoot but Barrett makes a brilliant block. Coventry were still attacking with Nelson making several good saves. With the clock moving to the last couple of minutes the keeper comes out of his goal to clear the ball it lands towards young Hessy with the crowd shouting for him to shoot he does from 35 yards and in off the crossbar. What a goal the crowd go mad and the players bundle on Jake. fantastic Ist ever goal for Jake and one he and the Gills supporters will never forget.4-2. With 2 minutes of injury time left Hessy goes off to a standing ovation.
Wish I could have been there. Need to see the highlights……sounds like there were 90 minutes of them!
I listened to the game,and it was entertaining to listen too,so It must have been great to have been there.4 Penaltys,2 each,a sending off,and a great strike from about 40 yards from Hessenthaler,people got their moneys worth.Even with 10 men Gillsplayer were saying Coventry were not playing like they had ten men,but we deserved the win.After losing 3 games in a row,and to then win two home games in a few days makes me feel a lot better about staying up.I said I would be happy with 4-6 points,and we got the maximum.Things are looking up,and we probably only need 2 wins,and 2 draws to stay up now. I have just seen Hessy`s goal,and what a goal it was.Not a bad way to score your first professional goal in Football.
Fabulous entertainment with lots of effort from the Gills team. A good little cameo appearance from Bayo and an outstanding performance from Hessy junior even before his goal. Good job Coventry only had 10 men. It seems inconceivable that Gills cannot scrape two wins from the rest of the season.
This wasn't the best performance of the season by a long shot but we won, Before young Hess scored a 40 yard wonder goal we had the halve time penalty shoot out (only it wasn't halve time) I haven't forgotten the 40 yard wonder goal from Hess Jnr but I should just mention Weston scored with his head. Had Hess not scored a 40 Yard wonder goal Weston's 1st goal of the season might be remembered but after the Hess wonder goal "no chance". 4 penalties in the same game might be memorable but for the Hess 40 yard wonder goal. p.s. did I remember to mention the Hess 40 yard wonder goal.
You are right to mention Weston Grumpy. First of all, he was only there to score it because he had the good sense to avoid that suicide challenge on Saturday. Secondly, a headed goal from Weston is far more remarkable for him than a simple 40 yard lob into an empty net for Hessy Junior.
To be honest, the game was devoid of any real quality (Hess' goal apart), but who cares we needed 3 points and we got it. I genuinely nearly collapsed when Weston scored that header, probably the last goal scenario i would have picked but it came at a pivotal time. One thing that confused me was how long the ref took to send off their player and the subsequent reaction of their team and Pressley, it was stone wall sending off, unless someone else had a better angle or has seen the highlights, to me i don't think there could be any other scenario.
I totally agree re the lack of quality, it was a strange match from a Gills perspective as no one played badly (except maybe Weston), but no one played particularly well either, and we were worked hard but our passing was awful and Coventry appeared quicker and sharper thorughout the game. As for the sending off I am convinced that the assistant called him over and the conversation was along the lines of "you are going to send him off aren't you?" "Do think I should?" "Well yes of course you should!" "oh OK"
Not technically perfect (but when is it ever?) but for excitement and entertainment beats by a mile a tense and boring 1 - 0 win. I am extremely envious of all those lucky enough to attend this game. UTG!
