Well as most of you are probably aware, last night saw us play Maidstone United for the first time in a competitive match since 1992 and also the first competitive match since Maidstone's reformation. Stopped off to have a prematch pint at The Flower Pot with a good pal before wandering down to the ground. Arrived there to see Gills faithful in fine voice already which lifts the spirits knowing that will be a good atmosphere. Quite a peculiar lineup for the Gills in playing 4 strikers, one of which was a trialist in Rhys Murphy leaving most Gills fans scratching their heads as to what formation we would be playing. Turns out we lined up with a 3-5-2 with Nelson in goal, back 3 of Nugent, Lacey & Ogilvie, List & Liam Nash playing wing backs (I didn't get it either) with Oldaker and Franck Moussa (trialist ex Coventry, Southend and Walsall) in the middle with Cundle playing just behind Wilkinson and Rhys Murphy (most recently Forest Green). Game started off quite slow for the Gills despite our fans out singing theirs and their drummer. Maidstone were able to cut through our midfield and defence as Nash & List showed they weren't up for defending much as their abilities are much better further forward. Eventually after about 20 mins or so Maidstone deservedly got their goal to take the lead. Maidstone continued to press after the goal until some good work by List down the right hand side had a shot blocked which came go Nash in the box who shot at the keeper who parried it with the ball heading towards goal for Rhys Murphy to head home to make sure it crossed the line. Gills looked the better of the last 10 mins of the 2nd half and that goal on 40 mins gave us renewed confidence. Second half we started much brighter but still didn't have much end product. A lot of huffing on puffing only resulted in about 2 or 3 shots by us all half. Some poor defending on the left hand side saw Maidstone play an unmarked player about 20 yards out and their shot which was deflected looped itself over a static Nelson who just watched it fall in to the Maidstone fans delight. We didn't test Maidstone after the goal on 75 minutes and the game simmered out to Maidstone probably deservedly get their win for their "Cup final". Overall a poor performance by our fringe players. The only players who came away with any credit were the 2 trialists that started. Murphy showing some decent touches and being able to hold up the ball but also get in behind and show some threat towards goal. Moussa also made some key tackles and blocks to save us a few times and did much better than Oldaker who went missing for half of the game. Nash looked bright going forwards and caused the Stones problems but always struggled playing left wing back when being seriously out of position. Needless to say none of those fringe players really made a case for breaking into the starting XI any time soon which is probably the most disappointing part of last night, that and losing to Maidstone lol.
Good insight to the game, with the only highlight appearing to be the trialists, I know it's not a league game but still if I was Scally I'd be thinking about the importance and potential possibilities of the remainder of the season, wondering do we need to bring in another player or two as our fringe players appear to be not more than that, fringe!
There were a couple of our oiks that got ejected from the ground as they tried to climb over the large segregation banner towards the end of the game which didn't do us any favours. They were also some kids who shouted a load of abuse at Nelson at the end of the game as he may have been at fault for the second goal which many thought was uncalled for. Nelson only ever wants to play well for the club and has been a great servant to us and made some decent saves during the game so there was no need. Think some people forgot that it was only a Kent Senior Cup game, a trophy we haven't won since 1948 so we clearly don't care that much about it anyway.
I never get that mentality of throwing abuse at your own players, particularly Nelson who has been and still is a very good club servant.
Rhys Murphy given a contract until end of the season. All 3 trialists that participated have all earnt themselves contracts. Fair play to those boys.
