Gillingham FC

After losing 3-0 in the corresponding away fixture a few months back, Gillingham gained revenge over League Two rivals Exeter City with a 1-0 victory at the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

A goal from Adam Miller in the 79^th minute was the difference between the two sides, as the Gills move up to fourth in the table after securing their third successive league win.

As usual, Gillingham were determined to get on the front foot right from the off, and they signalled their attacking intent just three minutes in, when John Nutter crossed into the box for Simeon Jackson, only for the striker to head horribly wide.

Exeter found their way soon after though, and had a great chance to score when—albeit against the run of play—Neil Saunders hit a long-range shot that appeared to be going in, only for it to then hit the cross-bar, much to the relief of the Gills players and 'keeper Simon Royce.

In the 20^thminute, Gillingham hit the cross-bar themselves, when a sweet free-kick from Nicky Southall, reminiscent of the one he scored against Millwall last season, cannoned straight off the upright.

The home side had a few more chances before the break, most notably when Andy Barcham blazed over from close range in the 35th minute.

After the break, the Gills again appeared the more dominant, having more possession and carving out more opportunities, although not many clear cut ones.

Gillingham did have the ball in the back of the net on 58 minutes, when Adam Miller converted Nicky Southall’s cross, although he was ruled for offside by the assistant referee.

However, it mattered little as the Gills did eventually take the lead, with Miller again putting the ball in the back of the net, after the stand-in captain converted a Simeon Jackson effort from close range.

On-loan signing Jamie Peters was given his Gillingham debut in the final minutes by manager Mark Stimson, much to the delight of the home fans. The tricky winger didn’t disappoint, as his pure pace and skill bamboozled the weary Exeter defenders in the closing stages.

After the moans and groans by the home fans at the announcement of four additional minutes to be played, Gillingham held on after a barrage of Exeter attacks, to see the game out and secure a much deserved 1-0 win.

It’s a win that now means the Gills move up to fourth in the Coca Cola League Two table, having won their last three games, and extending their unbeaten run to 12 league matches.

Over the past few days a lot has been happening off the field at Gillingham FC. Here are the top stories at the club:

Gills Sign Duo on Loan

Manager Mark Stimson has bolstered his squad with the signing of two players on loan, as he looks to continue building a side that can have a realistic chance of gaining promotion this season.

One of the players is right winger Jamie Peters, a 21-year old Canadian international who was on the books of Kaiserslautern as a youngster, shunning offers from EPL giants Chelsea and Manchester United before joining Ipswich Town in 2005. He joins the Gills on loan from Ipswich on a one-month deal.

The other player is 19-year old full-back Rene Steer, who is currently on the books of Arsenal. He joined the Gunners’ youth academy as a 13-year old, and progressed through the ranks before signing professional terms in 2007.

Steer played in the Gillingham Reserves’ midweek defeat away at Brighton, and has made quite an impression on the manager, who said: “Rene is a young player with tremendous pace; he is very comfortable on the ball as you would expect from someone that has spent six years at Arsenal.”

The gaffer went on to say: “Jamie has quick feet and is another player with terrific pace. Both lads have joined for a month initially and I hope they will come into the squad and help us to maintain the momentum we have built up in recent weeks.”

Pugh Loaned to Grays

Andy Pugh, a product of the Gills youth team, has been loaned out to Blue Square Premier side Grays Athletic on a one month deal.

The 19-year old striker has had his first-team opportunities at the KRBS Priestfield severely limited, as he has made only two first-team appearances this season. He has however been a regular in the reserve team.

Pugh joins the Essex based club in search of more first-team experiences, and there is hope at Grays he can help lift them above their current 18^th place in the league, and help them stay clear of the drop zone.

Youth Alliance Cup Postponed

Gillingham’s under-18 side were scheduled to play against Brentford in the third round of the Youth Alliance Cup on Saturday morning, but recent bouts of heavy rain has meant their pitch will be unplayable.

The decision to postpone the game was taken on Friday afternoon.

Stuart Thurgood Released

Midfielder Stuart Thurgood parted company with Gillingham on Friday, after agreeing to cancel the remainder of his contract.

Thurgood was one of manager Mark Stimson’s first signings, joining on loan in November 2007 before making the move permanent in the 2008 January transfer window.

In the 2007-08 season he made 12 appearances for the Gills, but after the 4-0 hammering away at Northampton Town in February, Thurgood was chucked out of the side, and finished the season on loan at Grays Athletic (the club who have currently signed Andy Pugh on loan).

In August 2008, he rejoined Grays on loan, and now having been released by Gillingham, he is expected to return to the Essex club for the remainder of the season.

source: www.gillinghamfootballclub.com  

After their match on January 10th against Aldershot Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch, Gillingham will play their first home game in 20 days when they take on Exeter City at the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

The Gills will be looking to build on their two back-to-back away wins – which has seen them climb back into the play-off places – when they play host to Exeter City, a team in which the Kent-based club have bad memories of, having played awful and lost 3-0 in the corresponding away fixture earlier in the season.

However, Gillingham will have their work cut out if they are to gain revenge over Exeter, as the Grecians have been very impressive on their travels this season, having won six, drawn three, and lost just three.

To make matters worse for the Gills, the club from Devon are one place higher in the Coca Cola League Two table, currently sitting pretty in sixth position. They too will be looking to build on some recent positive results, having beaten Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 away on Tuesday night.

Team News

Gillingham

The main concern for manager Mark Stimson ahead of Saturday’s clash at the KRBS Priestfield will be the fitness of Irish striker Gary Mulligan, who is currently nursing a back injury.

On a positive note, captain Barry Fuller has now left hospital and is on the road to recovery after being diagnosed with pneumonia, but will most likely be out for quite a few weeks.

Key defender Garry Richards returns to the side after serving the last of his three-match ban in the game against Port Vale.

Exeter City

After coming through their previous match against Dagenham & Redbridge unscathed, Exeter manager Paul Tisdale is expected to name an unchanged team for the trip to Gillingham.

On-loan Tottenham Hotspur defender Troy Archibald Henville impressed on his debut in the match midweek, and is widely to expected to maintain his place in the starting XI.

If Jacko doesn’t do a runner and Dennis Oli can manage to stay fit, then surely Gillingham have a decent chance of getting promoted, and being closer to moving back up to where they truly belong. 

 

Gillingham have won their first league game of 2009, completing their first double of the season with a 1-0 win at Morecambe.

A goal from ex-Leeds United midfielder Curtis Weston on 19 minutes gave Gillingham a deserved away victory.

With captain Barry Fuller out, and key defender Garry Richards still suspended, manager Mark Stimson kept faith with the same starting eleven that performed so brilliantly in the FA Cup against Aston Villa, a game in which Gillingham were so unjustly denied a replay.

A bobbly pitch and strong winds couldn’t stop the Gills starting the brighter at Christie Park, with the Kent side having several chances to take the lead, most notably when Canadian international Simeon Jackson blasted wide after being sent clear by Gary Mulligan.

After dominating the opening stages of the game, Gillingham scored the goal they threatened in the 19th minute, after a rebound off the post from a Gary Mulligan shot came to Curtis Weston, who fired in from 10 yards.

Morecambe had a chance soon after the goal, but midfielder Fraser McLachlan lashed a wild shot embarrassingly over the stand and out of the stadium.

Despite the chance, it was the Gills who continued to dominate after their goal, even when key player Dennis Oli was forced off through injury on 38 minutes.

After the break, the home side started brighter, the Aaron Taylor being set-up by the lively Rene Howe to almost pull Morecambe level.

As conditions got worse in the second half, Morecambe got better, replicating the play that saw Gillingham dominate the first half. This was most notable when Craig Stanley went extremely close for the Shrimps, his rasping drive from 25-yards looking like a goal, until experienced keeper Simon Royce made a stunning diving save to keep the visitors in front.

Morecambe kept on pushing in the closing stages, meaning Gillingham had to revert to a 4-5-1 formation to keep the Shrimps at bay, with young talent Jack Payne replacing Irish striker Gary Mulligan.

Gillingham had a few chances to get a second in stoppage time, with Curtis Weston having the ball cleared off the line with the last chance of the match four minutes into added time. There was not to be a second for the visitors, but it mattered little as the final whistle sounded soon after, confirming the fact that the Gills had won their first league game of 2009.

It is a result that means Gillingham remain tenth in the Coca Cola League Two table, still just two points off the play-off places.

These past two weeks have been almost as boring as an international break. After the spectacle of EPL side Aston Villa’s trip down to the delights of Gillingham and the KRBS Priestfield stadium, our game the next week against another massive team (Aldershot aren’t that bad y’know) fell victim to the English weather.

Gillingham v Aldershot was postponed due to a frozen pitch, much to the disappointment of all those Gillingham fans who of course wanted to return the week after the Villa game, to see their beloved team play (not).

The postponement now means the Gills' return to action after an unexpected two week break, with a potential fixture pile-up now awaiting them.

Gillingham have happy memories this season of their encounter with Morecambe. The Shrimps made the long haul down south only to receive a 5-0 thrashing, from an unusually on-fire Gillingham side at the KRBS Priestfield.

The Gills will be hoping to replicate the form that so nearly earned them a replay in the FA Cup two weeks ago, when they make the long haul up north to try and steal three points from Morecambe. They bumped up the points tally which leaves them languishing 10th in the Coca Cola League Two table at the moment.

Morecambe however have had an even longer spell on the sidelines. That horrible, vicious, deadly cold English weather means the Shrimps have had their last two games marked with that annoying ‘P’ (postponed) sign.

This means the Lancashire side’s last outing was a 4-0 defeat against Bradford City, on Dec. 28. The game on Saturday will be their first match of 2009. Aston Villa’s first was against the Gills, and now the Kent club have the distinction of giving Morecambe their first game of the new calendar year. They are so kind, aren’t they?

After having an extended holiday, both sides will be back out to try and show they haven’t rusted completely, and are still capable of scoring the goals and bringing home the three points for their respective clubs.

Team News

Gillingham

The usual suspects, Mark McCammon (back) and Luis Cumbers (fractured fibula), remain sidelined, but there are also some others which will put a big dent in the Gillingham lineup.

Sierra Leone winger Albert Jarrett looks unlikely after failing to recover from an ankle injury against Wycombe Wanderers, while the case with Captain Barry Fuller is a little bit more serious. He has been hospitalised with pneumonia.

Key defender Garry Richards is also out, as he serves his second of a three match ban. This means experienced midfielder Mark Bentley is likely to continue his partnership with Simon King at the heart of defence.

On a more positive note, Nicky Southall, the club’s most vital player is back after being so unfortunately cup-tied for that fantastic, most spectacular game against the mighty Villa.

Morecambe

Long-term injury victims Matthew Blinkhorn (knee), Garry Hunter (bone bruising) and Michael Twiss (ankle), have finally gained sufficient fitness to return to the plans of manager Sammy McIlroy.  

Defender Andy Parrish (knee) and midfielder Stuart Drummond (virus) are both major doubts, while striker Danny Carlton is no longer at the club after his loan deal expired. The player has now moved on to Darlington until the end of the season.

Officials

The officials lucky enough to officiate this massive game (well it is Morecambe’s first of the New Year after all) are as follows:

Referee: G Laws

Assistant Referees: I Nolan & R A Salt

Fourth Official: N A Yates

A while back I wrote the article “A brief History of Aston Villa.” It’s clear that Aston Villa has an illustrious history, having participated in, and won, several very prestigious tournaments.

Now the same can’t be said for my beloved Gillingham FC, whose history, how do I say, is slightly less interesting, to say the least. For many years we have languished at the wrong end of the Football League, and have never reached the dizzy heights of top-flight football.

That’s why, instead of going into a rather dull history of the odd promotion here or there, and for some reason the never-ending amount of relegations, I shall instead explain the recent high and low times my local club has faced.

In May 1995, Gillingham FC could well have been no more. The club was beset by numerous financial problems, and had been in administration since January. The Kent based team could not keep up with debt repayments, several of their players left, and they looked almost certain to be expelled from the Football League. Other teams were already looking to welcome new supporters from the Southeast.

But in June 1995, there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Gillingham’s saviour had turned up. He was a London-based businessman, and was the antithesis of all Gills’ fans. Paul Scally, the man who stepped in and stopped this whole malarkey, was a Millwall fan. But despite this fact, and the fact that even today many Gillingham fans would still love to see him leave, his arrival has been nothing but beneficial for Gillingham FC.

For the 1995/96 season, Scally brought in Tony Pulis as manager, a man who would later reach the heights of Premiership footballing managing Stoke City.

In his first season, Pulis led the Gills to promotion, finishing second in Division Three (now the Coca Cola League Two). Having been in Division Two for three years, Gillingham almost secure promotion to Division One, when in 1999 they made the play-offs, against Manchester City.

When you think back on it, a now EPL manager was managing Gillingham in the third tier of English football, and in the league came up against Manchester City, who now are an EPL side, owned by the Abu Dhabi group of the UAE, and have an estimated wealth of £550bn.

Gillingham lost the play-off final back in 1999. They were 2-0 up with only two minutes left, and promotion was all but theirs. In football, the cliché saying that ‘football is a cruel game’ was more than appropriate here, as Manchester City scored twice in injury time. The game was 2-2, and then 3-1 on penalties, as Manchester City were heading to Division One.

To make matters worse, Tony Pulis was sacked soon after the match, for gross misconduct. We had a great manager, gone. Gillingham fans have always been accustomed to misery, and once again around Medway there was the feeling of "here we go again."

But for the 1999/00 season, another now household name was presented to the media as Gillingham supremo. Former England U-21 manager, and senior England caretaker boss, Peter Taylor was appointed the new manager at the home of professional football in Kent.

Peter Taylor, now manager at League Two Wycombe Wanderers, went one better than Pulis when he managed to reach the play-off final again the following season, and this time win it.

Extra time goals from substitutes Steve Butler and Andy Thomson ensured the 1-1 draw in regulatory time would not carry on for another half-hour. The 1999-00 Division Two playoff final finished 3-1 to Gillingham, with the Gills going into a place they had never been before, the dreamland that was Division One (now the Coca Cola Championship).

The team Gillingham beat that day was Wigan Athletic. Need I say much more than just look where both teams are today? Taking that point of view, I’d rather have lost that day; who knows where the Gills could’ve ended up?

Peter Taylor left the next season (2000/01), and arguably one of the best players/managers ever for Gillingham FC, Andy Hessenthaler, was appointed manager.

In the 2002-03 season, Hessenthaler led the Gills to their best ever Football League finish to date. A highly successful season meant Gillingham finished 11th in Division One.

The next season saw the Gills narrowly avoid relegation, on goal difference.

This is where the doom and gloom, the recent lows, started for Gillingham Football Club. Severe financial difficulties were once again at large for the Gills; the collapse of ITV Digital one of the catalysts for Gillingham’s spiral into heavy debt.

In November 2004, Andy Hessenthaler resigned as manager of Gillingham, and his successor, Stan Ternent, could not prevent the Gills’ descend into League One.

In 2006, with the debt ever increasing, chairman Paul Scally took decisive action and cut his own salary by 60% in order to reduce overheads. The same year EDF Energy, energy supplier to Gillingham’s home stadium, cut off its energy supply to Priestfield as a result of unpaid bills, amounting to £100,000. Where are the Arabs or Russians when you need them, eh?

Things got worse at the end of the 2007/08 season, as the Gills got relegated to where they are now, the Coca Cola League Two. A bad result on and off the pitch, as relegation to the basement of professional football in England also meant debt reached a whopping £13m. A huge amount for a lower league club.

However, things look on the up as Gillingham begin the ascend back to where they rightfully belong. As of Jan. 9, 2009, Gillingham are 10th in League Two, just four points off the play-off places. Five days ago they lost 2-1 at home to Aston Villa FC in the third round of the FA Cup, a game shown live on ITV1.

As a result of this game and success this season, Gillingham’s debt has decreased dramatically, and in the past financial year, the Gills announced they had made a profit, the first time in several years a Gillingham fan has ever heard that.

The Gills have had good times in the past, and have seen some of their employees develop and move on to bigger and better things. They have also had several bad times, leading almost to the point of liquidation.

As with the global economic market the world has recently entered a bad phase, the opposite could well be about to happen to the world of Gillingham FC, as after going to the lowest of the low, the only place for the ‘Pride of Kent’ now, is up.

On Sunday 4^th January 2009, millions of you might’ve watched Aston Villa play against Gillingham at the KRBS Priestfield stadium, in the FA Cup Third Round live on ITV1.

You may have watched the build-up, where it takes a look at both teams, what this tie means, the history between the two sides, etc.

You probably watched the match itself, and saw Aston Villa win the game 2-1 with a double from young talent James Milner, who was also celebrating his 23^rd birthday that day.

Now before I get any further, Aston in Birmingham might not be the nicest of places, but to celebrate your birthday in Gillingham, apparently home to chavs, pikeys, and scumbags alike, let’s just say it’s the one place where you would NOT want to celebrate your birthday.

Anyway, you probably saw the post-match analysis, with several replays of the goals, chances, and of course the big talking point, the penalty.

You may have seen all that, but what you didn’t see was a pitch-side view for the entire game, seeing all the hand signals and mannerisms of the players, hearing what they said to each other, and what the referee said to them.

But now you will, as I take you through the game, through the eyes of the person sitting in the Gordon Road stand, Block G, Row A. Here is Gillingham v Aston Villa through the eyes of Yoosof Farah.

It's 12.45 p.m., kick-off is in 45 minutes. I step outside my house, and the usually quiet road on a Sunday (the only day it is quiet) is packed full of cars, all heading one way—to the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

I arrive at the ground for about 1.10 p.m. Just before I reach the turnstiles I look through the gates and see too many people queuing. My friend Brian, a programme seller, hasn’t stopped for an hour; People throw money at him desperate for one of those precious programmes on this very special occasion.

Damn it, it’s too long. I make my way to my seat and turn round to see a ball being kicked around. I look up to see fans desperate to get their picture of Nigel Reo-Coker and Curtis Davies.

I look at my phone. 1.25 p.m. The queue’s gone down, I can make it in time. I run to get my programme, I wait patiently. Two left. My friend Dan wanted one as well. I snatch both programmes and leg it back to my seat, desperate to get back in time to see the start of the game and to avoid the angry mob who were behind me deprived of a programme.

1.30 p.m., kick-off time. I draw a huge smile as I look up and see a packed out stadium. I knew it would happen one day. Nice to see something good, that’s a nice bit of £ in the bank for my local club.

Happiness can only last so long, and at 1.44 p.m. the happiness evaporated. The Bulgarian whom I would later win a battle with passed the ball to James Milner, who made no mistake and put it past Simon Royce, giving Aston Villa a 1-0 lead with 14 minutes gone.

"Fuck’s sake, not another shocker at Priestfield, surely?," I could tell was the general consensus amongst the home fans.

You saw what happened for the rest of the half; it wasn’t much different from where I was sitting. I wanted the Gills to get an equaliser, and if you’re not a Villa fan, I’m sure you did too. Of course, that’s what the FA Cup is all about: giants being slain, reputations tarnished, heroes made.

2.16 p.m., half-time whistle blows. My seat is empty. I’m starving, and I’ve been queuing for what, 10 minutes now? Finally I get my good ol’ burger n' chips at 2.20 p.m. Now I’ve just got to edge past this shocker of a queue, and somehow get back to my seat.

Food eaten, programme read, we’re ready to go again at 2.31 p.m. As I said before, you know what happens after the re-start. You know, up to 57 minutes played.

"He isn’t, is he? Oh my God he’s done it! Yes Jacko! Absolutely fucking fantastic!"

Canadian international Simeon Jackson collects the ball wide right, and hammers in his 12^thgoal of the season. Against Aston Villa, who are fourth in the EPL. Past Brad Friedel, who has 82 caps for the USA (at time of match).

The cacophony of applause, the roar of happiness, the pure ecstasy in over 9,000 fans and in the millions more on tuned in on the game lifts me up onto my feet as I clench my fist and punch it into the air to signal my delight.

This is where giants are slain, reputations tarnished, heroes made. This is where the Canadian from Jamaica, the best current player in a Gillingham shirt, keeps alive the romance of the greatest domestic competition in the world.

Time goes on, and you and I are desperate for that cup upset. Could it really happen? This looks ominous. Aston Villa are awarded a free-kick with 75 minutes gone. 3.01 p.m., and Ashley Young is standing over the ball, ready and waiting.

The ref sorts something out in the box, and Stiliyan Petrov is there with Ashley Young, ready to play his part in the set-piece routine they practiced the other day at Bodymoor Heath.

But while the ref is sorting things out, he takes the chance to quickly pull up his socks and shin pads. And have a look at the crowd.

We make direct eye contact. The Bulgarian looks away, but can’t resist looking back to see if that kid was actually staring at him. He was. Stiliyan Petrov and I hold a stare for about 3 seconds, I then clench my fist. Then he looks away, looking at the ground in defeat.

He has 74 caps for Bulgaria, and is his nation’s hero, as well as a Glasgow Celtic legend. But in that moment he was weak, and I easily out stared him, and won the battle, the battle between Gillingham (fans) and Aston Villa.

It would make for a good consolation, as after the free-kick went wide, Ashley Young charged forward for another try.

I think Adam Miller is a terrible player, and for me he is a bit clumsy sometimes. Perhaps Ashley Young was thinking this as well as he sees Miller coming in and then gets clattered.

Well you would’ve thought that had you just seen the PFA Young Player of the Year go down. But if you saw what happened before that—which you probably did—you’d be annoyed too.

The ecstasy around the stadium, and the talk of a replay, were all destroyed as Gillingham were dealt a killer blow.

Referee Keith Stroud, reflecting about it in my room, made a decision he thought was right. He was only doing his job, as he pointed to the spot and awarded a penalty. For Ashley Young, on the other hand, diving/simulation is not in the job description.

A good birthday for James Milner (well, it’s better than being on the streets in Gillingham, isn’t it?) got better as he converted the penalty, getting his second, pushing him and his mates closer to the next round, and giving his fans something to cheer about.

"Freak" is the name Gillingham fans use for Peter Crouch after he visited Priestfield many years ago as a QPR player. In his autobiography, Walking Tall: Peter Crouch, the Portsmouth striker talks about his disgust for Gillingham, and his hate for Gillingham fans, brandishing them “a bunch of pikeys.”

There might be another player soon to fall out with the Gillingham faithful. After the penalty, Ashley Young received a chorus of boos from the Gillingham fans, who brandished him a cheat. Many in the stadium probably had respect for Young beforehand, only seeing his talents on TV.

But when he’s only metres away, you can see what a dive is and what’s not; and there was a dive Cristiano Ronaldo would’ve been proud of.

3.19 p.m. and the game is over, and I very quickly leave the stadium, trying to leave my memories behind. 3.35 p.m. and I see someone talking, to a reporter, in front of a camera. "Best make the most of it."

"Who’s next?" "I am!" For the next two minutes I speak to this man about the game, and I stare straight at that camera. ITV? The whole nation is watching me!?

I ask afterwards who he works for, and let’s just say it was a bit of an anti-climax. Kent Messenger Radio, no disrespect to them of course. You probably don’t know who they are, have a look. www.kentonline.co.uk

I then chit-chat with my friends about the match, and slowly walk home as my muscles decided to slow things down a bit, after being attacked by the bite from that freezing cold wind, courtesy of English weather, with a little help from the Arctic.

It’s 4 p.m. exactly when I arrive home. I play darts whilst watching Sky Sports News, and don’t hear much until the words Aston Villa. "Villa’s reward for a tricky win over Gillingham is an away trip to..." For some reason there seems to be a prolonged delay, until I hear "Cheltenham Town or Doncaster Rovers."

To avoid causing offence, I won’t elaborate too much, but let’s just say for the 1.9 million population of Kent, or for just me perhaps, it would’ve been one of the biggest anti-climaxes ever.

On a cold Sunday afternoon in Kent, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neil put out his strongest side against League Two opponents Gillingham.

After the late exclusion of Gabby Agbonlahor due to illness, youth team star Nathan Delfouneso—preferred to the more experienced Marlon Harewood—had a chance to impress his manager in the lone striker role, whilst Villa was also missing stars Cuellar, Bouma and Barry.

Gillingham fielded a line-up of attacking intent, with much expected of tricky widemen Oli and Barcham supporting frontman Simeon Jackson.

Early on, the Premier League team lacked fluency and struggled to put any incisive moves together on a bobbly surface affected by the overnight frost.

However, their class was evident in the 13th minute.

Milner picked up the ball after a mistake by Gills defender Miller, played a one-two with Petrov on the left side of the box and curled the ball accurately into the far corner, beyond the outstretched arm of Simon Royce.

Gillingham was never out of the game and right winger Oli clipped the side netting seven minutes later after a cut back by Mulligan.

Most of Villa's defensive problems were arising on the flanks and captain Reo-Coker in particular was being tested by the tireless Barcham.

O'Neill's men were becoming increasingly frustrated at a lack of possession and this sentiment was reflected in the clumsy tackles that led to bookings for both their skipper and centre back Curtis Davies.

As half-time approached, Delfouneso had a great chance when played in by Milner from the right but miscued his volley.

The home side came out after the break with more belief and purpose and this spirit was recognised by the 11,000 fans who were baying for claret blood.

This support was rewarded when Simeon Jackson taught his profligate counterpart Delfouneso a harsh lesson in the art of finishing.

Jackson, once a trialist with both Manchester Premier League clubs, picked up a loose ball 30 yards from goal on Villa's left, swiftly turned the less agile Zat Knight, and ferociously fired the ball pass the oncoming Brad Friedel and in off the near post.

Martin O'Neill was becoming increasingly incensed at Villa's lack of guile and composure and the over-zealousness which several Gillingham players showed in their attempts to deprive his star player Young of possession on the left flank.

Despite the close attention of right-back Stewart Lewis and a cynical tackle by Mark Bentley which incensed O'Neill, Young began to finally come into the game and it took an excellent tackle from Lewis to prevent him from putting his side into the lead.

O'Neill—never one to hide his emotions—was clearly worried. In an effort to put the home side on the back foot, he swapped Delfouneso's energy for Harewood's more forceful approach with 15 minutes left.

As Gillingham faded, the Villains forced their way increasingly further up the pitch and looked to win the tie with one swift but deadly counter-attack.

Appropriately in the context of the match, it was record signing James Milner that won the match in the 79th minute with a low spotkick after Miller bundled over Young in the penalty box. The decision was correct but difficult to accept as both players collided unintentionally.

Thereafter, Aston Villa successfully kept the ball in the right areas of the pitch and should have increased the lead in stoppage time only for Ashley Young to miscontrol a through pass from Knight.

Aston Villa now face another tricky visit to Cheltenham or Doncaster but manager O'Neill will be pleased with a resolute performance as he seeks Cup glory to add to League success.

Gillingham 1 (0) ASTON VILLA 2 (1)

Jackson '57          Milner '13, '79

Man of the Match

James Milner

Ratings

Gillingham: Royce 6; Lewis 8, Bentley 6, King 7, Nutter 6; Oli 7, Weston 6, Miller 7, Barcham 7; Mulligan 6, Jackson 8

Aston Villa: Friedel 7; Reo-Coker 5, Knight 6, Davies 7, Shorey 6; Milner 8, Petrov 7, Sidwell 5, Gardner 6, Young 7; Delfouneso 5 (Harewood 6)

A billboard poster of the advertising campaign for the FA Cup, by ITV, for me summed up the greatest domestic competition in the world.

It had a picture of Manchester United’s Nemanja Vidic in an aerial challenge with a fireman. The caption beside the picture read: “Where all men are equal.”

And that statement is certainly true when Aston Villa, who are currently fourth in the EPL—arguably the greatest football league in the world—visit Kent in the South East to take on Gillingham, who currently languish in the fourth tier of professional football in England, the Coca Cola League Two.

The players of Aston Villa may be internationally recognised multi-millionaire superstars compared to the average wage earners at Gillingham, but for 90 minutes on that pitch, in Kent’s largest sporting arena, there will be no differences as current form and footballing status are thrown out the window, and all that matters is beating your opponent and getting through to the next round.

Villa may be fourth in the Premier League, unbeaten for eight games, and Gillingham may be 10th in League Two, having not won in four games, but on Sunday all men will be equal, as the prize of tarnishing reputations and slaying giants can give the same satisfaction as lifting that trophy at Wembley.

Team News

Gillingham

For this incredible clash at Kent’s home of professional football, suspensions mean there is a substantial chink in the armour of the Gillingham defence; Key defenders Garry Richards and Barry Fuller will be forced to watch from the sidelines.

The latter’s hopes of leading out his men onto the pitch for this massive occasion have now been destroyed, as club captain Fuller will be denied his finest moment in a Gillingham shirt as he completes the last game of an unjust three-game suspension.

Club legend Nicky Southall will also miss this game; the skilful midfielder being ineligible as he is cup-tied, having represented Kent neighbours Dover Athletic in fourth round qualifying.

Long-term absentees Mark McCammon (back) and Luis Cumbers (fractured fibula) will also miss the game, as their road to recovery rules them out of this memorable occasion.

Aston Villa

For the trip down to "Fortress Priestfield," Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will most likely be without three key players, which can be both good news and bad news to Gillingham fans.

Norwegian international John Carew is definitely ruled out of the game, as his road to recovery from a back injury, similar to the injury suffered by Gillingham striker Mark McCammon, won’t end until March at the very least.

Martin Laursen, one of the best centre-backs for both Aston Villa and the Danish national team, looks as if he will miss the clash as he battles to overcome a niggling knee injury.

Fellow defender Carlos Cuellar, the Spaniard who made his name with Glasgow Rangers, also looks likely to miss the game, as a hamstring strain seems like it will continue to sideline the £7.8million man.

Officials

The officials lucky enough to show off their officiating skills in front of the whole of England in this live televised clash, are as follows:

Referee:KP Stroud

Assistant Referees:DS Bryan & J Flynn

Fourth Official: SJ Tanner

“For Gillingham, it will be a massive occasion—that’s what the FA Cup is all about.”

Aston Villa centre-back Curtis Davies, speaking to the Aston Villa official club website.

If you don’t have tickets for this grand spectacle at the Fortress that is the KRBS Priestfield Stadium, be sure to catch what most certainly will be Gillingham’s biggest match of 2009, with all the action live on ITV1, with kick-off at 1:30 p.m.

The FA Cup: Where giants are slain, reputations tarnished, heroes made.

But above all; the FA Cup: Where all men are equal.