Gillingham FC

The 2008/09 season saw Gillingham dumped back into the basement of professional football in England for the first time in 12 years.

After being relegated to the Coca Cola League Two, there were several questions whether the club, who at the start of last season were talking about promotion back up to the Championship, would be able to seriously challenge for promotion back into League One.

23 games into life in England's fourth tier, through the wonderful world of statistical information we can extrapolate just how Gillingham have got on this season.

Points

Points can say a lot about a team, and that's certainly the case with Gillingham.

The Gills are currently on 34 points, and languish in 10th place in the table. They are 12 points off leaders Wycombe Wanderers, five points off an automatic promotion place, and just two points off a play-off place.

This clearly shows we are not the best team in the league, but we are capable of at least a place in the play-offs come the end of the season. If manager Mark Stimson can bring fans favourite Chris Dickson back to Priestfield, then perhaps even an automatic promotion place is not out of the realms of possibility.

Appearances

Good old appearances, they can tell you who can stay free from injury, and in a few cases, can show who the team's best player is.

And in this case definitely it can, as Simon King has made the most appearances for the Gills this season. The ever-reliable centre-back has been rock solid in the Gills' defence this season, and for me has fully lived up to his £200,000 price tag (don't laugh you EPL lovers, that's big money in our league!).

Goalscorers

Ah yes, the goalscoring charts. For strikers, they can determine who the club's top striker is, and show how effective the strikers have been. For midfielders, they don't mean much, they get judged on assists. And for defenders, it can tell you one thing: the best defenders are the ones who go up and help the team out, and not just defend.

The club's leading goalscorer is Simeon Jackson. Yes, he is a striker, and yes you Canadians, he is your country's next superstar. And, yes, I agree Gillingham fans, it's about time we got some value for the £150,000 we invested in him (don't make me warn you again, EPL lovers).

Jacko's 11 goals this season, all of which are in the league, mean we have a goal difference of -1. God knows what it would be like without the diminutive forward.

Assists

Now this is where the midfielders come into it. Assists are the thing that shows there is more to football than just goals. This is where midfielders get judged, their ability to provide the goals for the forwards.

John Nutter has the most assists this season. Calm down Gillingham fans, I know he's a defender. The full-back, who really doesn't get forward too often, has made seven assists this season. Quite a surprising statistic for a player who can't really do much but hit free-kicks high into the Rainham End. 

The nearest midfielder is second placed Nicky Southall with five assists this season. In all competitions, 25 assists have been made. The Gills have played 28 games in all competitions so far this season, which shows these players really don't like to set each other up, or are just simply too crap to put in a decent cross. I think I'll have to go with the latter.

Shooting

The statistic that shows us who those greedy bastards are. But it can also show us who can actually shoot, and who just can't shoot to save their lives.

If Frank Lampard was at this club, he would definitely top this list, but unfortunately he's not, so instead of Fat Frank, it's Simeon Jackson who has had the most shots for Gillingham this season.

In total, he has had 69 shots, with fellow striker Mark McCammon—who has been injured for about a month now—in second with 24 shots.

Yes, Jacko is a bit greedy, and having thought before that 11 goals this season was quite good, I think you'll now find that even you could do better and put away a few more than just one in every seven shots.

Discipline

The statistic that can show which player is the dirtiest, which one is the biggest cheat, and which one simply has anger management issues.

And the dirtiest player in the Gillingham side at the moment is Simon King. The centre-back tops two lists. He has played the most games for Gillingham, meaning he has had more of an opportunity to do what he loves best: committing fouls.

He has committed 39 fouls this season, but disappointingly for him, has just three yellow cards to show for it. He has also conceded one penalty, although he is convinced the penalty shouldn't have been given, as the player dived, and deliberately broke his own leg just to win that penalty.

Attendance

Wake up! The world of statistical information is actually quite fun I'll have you know. What more relevent a statistic for a club's success than the attendance.

Well you would be right if the Gills played at Old Trafford, but we don't, so no-one really bothers watching our games.

Although 4,029 popped in to watch us play Rochdale, which was quite nice. Apparently though that was our lowest attendance of the season! Yes, I'm shocked as well!

Our highest attendance so far came just last Sunday, when those big boys at the top, Wycombe Wanderers, came here and lost two points. 5,979 saw that match, although they couldn't see where Wycombe dropped those points in the end. We think it was in the second-half they dropped them, but anyway, that's for another article.

5,979 is an impressive figure, but don't drool over it too much, because it will get all wet and soggy. Oh yeah, and also because it will be replaced soon, when a sell-out crowd (11,000+) will come to watch Aston Villa (interested now, EPL lovers?) take on Gillingham in the FA Cup Third Round here at Priestfield.

Note: for those who haven't got tickets for the Villa game, be sure to catch all the action live on ITV1 from 1pm on Sunday 4th January 2009.

Gillingham extended their unbeaten home run in the league to eleven games, after battling out a hard fought draw against current Coca Cola League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers.

The Gills went behind just past the half hour mark, when a defensive mix-up led to an attempted Simon Royce clearance being cannoned off Stuart Lewis—the stand-in right back for suspended captain Barry Fuller—and into the back of the net.

However, determined not to lose the title of "Fortress Priestfield" Gillingham pressed and pressed in the remainder of the game, and got a deserved equaliser through a stunning volley from Curtis Weston, seven minutes from time.

The opener for Wycombe came against the run of play, as Gillingham carved out more of the chances, with both Albert Jarrett and Nicky Southall coming close.

However, being league leaders Wycombe were expected to at least cause a few problems, and they did just that as Angelo Balanta broke free of the Gills defence and was denied only by a last-ditch Garry Richards tackle.

In the second-half Gillingham continued to carve out chances. Gary Mulligan first had a chance when he tried an overhead kick, before Adam Miller tried his luck after some good build-up play.

The Gills kept the pressure going and eventually the strong Wycombe defence cracked, as a Nicky Southall free-kick bounced off the wall and fell to Weston, who hit a cracking volley to send the record attendance at Priestfield into ecstasy.

Gillingham then tried to punch above their weight as they looked for a winner against the side who has only lost once in the league all season, with Simeon Jackson and then Adam Miller both having shots on goal.

The Gills couldn't find a winner in the end, but will nonetheless be happy after taking two points off Wycombe and pushing up into 10th, just a point off the play-off places.

After losing for the first time in seven games on Boxing Day, Gillingham will be looking to bounce back from their defeat away at Dagenham and Redbridge when they take on Wycombe Wanderers at the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

The Gills will be looking to extend their 10 game unbeaten home run and preserve the title of 'Fortress Priestfield' on Sunday, but it will be a tough task as Wycombe are the current league leaders, and are seven points clear at the top, having conceded just five goals away from home all season.

Wycombe also have a fortress of their own, as they are undefeated at home this season, and so perhaps there is more meaning to the title 'Fortress Adams Park'.

To make matters worse for the Gills, Wycombe have only lost just once away from home, in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Aldershot, a team that have also beaten Gillingham, winning 2-1 at the Recreation Ground.

Team News

Gillingham

For probably the first time this season, manager Mark Stimson has found that his squad have been stretched to the limit, as injuries and suspensions mean Gillingham are left short in key areas.

Barry Fuller serves the second game of his suspension on Sunday, while Mark Bentley is also out after collecting his fifth yellow card in the game against Brentford. Nicky Southall is most likely to continue at right-back, while Stuart Lewis is the top candidate to replace Bentley in midfield.

Andrew Barcham is ineligible for this game after his loan deal can't be renewed until 1st January, so therefore Albert Jarrett could start in his place with Dennis Oli on the wing. 

Goalkeeper Simon Royce could return after being rested on Boxing Day, while strikers Mark McCammon (back) and Luis Cumbers (fractured fibula) are still sidelined through injury.

Wycombe Wanderers

Manager Peter Taylor does not have too many injury problems ahead of his team's trip down to Kent and the delights of Gillingham.

Defender Michael Williamson (groin) and striker Chris Zebroski (ankle) are likely to remain sidelined, while right-back Lewis Hunt is also doubtful after limping out of Wycombe's Boxing Day draw with Exeter City.

Apart from that, Peter Taylor has a fully fit squad, and one that will be sure to provide a tough test for the Gills.

Officials

Referee: R Booth

Assistant Referee: O Saliy and GM Smith

Fourth Official: HW Lennard

There wasn't to be any festive cheer for Gillingham on Boxing Day, as the Gills succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Dagenham and Redbridge at Victoria Road.

After the home draw with Brentford, manager Mark Stimson made three changes to his starting lineup for the trip up to London. Alan Julian replaced Simon Royce in goal, Nicky Southall slotted in at right-back in place of suspended captain Barry Fuller, and Adam Miller came into the set-up to partner Simeon Jackson up-front.

There was over 1,000 Gillingham fans occupying the away areas at Victoria Road, and they made the hour-long trip over to Dagenham to see their side get off to the worst possible start.

Direct from the kick-off, a long clearance up-field found Dagenham midfielder Paul Benson, who played the ball in for fellow midfielder Ben Strevens to neatly finish beyond the diving Alan Julian.  

Just one minute gone, and the Gills already found themselves a goal behind.

However, as always, Gillingham bounced back and looked the stronger for large parts of the first half.

They had several chances to get an equaliser, and even had the ball in the back of the net when Adam Miller headed Nicky Southall's free-kick over the on-rushing Dagenham keeper Tony Roberts.

Celebrations were short-lived however, as the assistant referee was quick to rule Miller as offside.

In the second half, it was the home side who started the brighter, and within just five minutes of the re-start, their efforts paid off. Paul Benson hit an unstoppable shot that cannoned in off the far post, doubling the Daggers' lead.

Gillingham created little more in the remainder of the game, and Dagenham could've even had a third, as the highly active Paul Benson nodded the ball past keeper Alan Julian but was ruled for offside.

It was a defeat the Gills most probably deserved, and it's one that sees them slip down three places to eleventh in the Coca Cola League Two table.

And to make things worse for Gillingham, their next game is at home to League Two leaders Wycombe Wanderers, who are currently seven points clear at the top of the table.

After extending their unbeaten home league run to 10 games with a 1-1 draw against Brentford, Gillingham will be looking to go one stage further and extend their unbeaten run home and away in all competitions to eight games, in the Boxing Day encounter with Dagenham and Redbridge at Victoria Road.

And it is quite possible the Gills can get something out of this encounter, as they have seen a significant improvement in their away form recently, with three wins, one draw, and only one defeat in their last five away games in all competitions.

But Dagenham and Redbridge will also be confident of getting a result, especially after they warmed up for this home tie with an emphatic, 4-0 demolition of Macclesfield at Moss Rose.

It's a win that sees John Still's men climb up to 10th in the league table, and, like several other teams, means they are now only touching distance away from the playoffs.

Team News

Gillingham

There is only one major concern for manager Mark Stimson, as captain Barry Fuller begins his three match suspension against the Daggers. With young full-back Sean Clohessy going back on loan to Blue Square Premier side Salisbury City, the likeliest option to fill the vacant right-back spot will probably be Nicky Southall.

Adam Miller returns to the side after missing the Brentford game through suspension, and will most likely replace Gary Mulligan up-front.

Strikers Mark McCammon (back) and Luis Cumbers (fractured fibula) still remain sidelined.

Dagenham and Redbridge

Daggers manager John Still has been rather fortunate with injuries this season in that none of his men ever seem to get injured.

Apart from goalkeeper Tony Roberts, who has a slight fitness concern with a groin injury that has prevented him from taking goal-kicks, no player seems to have any injury worries, meaning Still will probably be naming yet another unchanged side.

Officials

Referee: G Scott

Assistant Referees: IF Bentley and DS Margetts

Fourth Official: JDA Hopkins

Honours were even at KRBS Priestfield, as Gillingham drew 1-1 with Brentford in an exciting game filled with controversial decisions.

It was the visitors who scored first, as a comical moment from November Player of the Month Simon King gifted Brentford the lead. However, Gillingham responded well in the second half, and got the equaliser through star striker Simeon Jackson.

After a largely un-entertaining opening half hour, Brentford took the lead through Charlie MacDonald. John Nutter’s weak header fell kindly to Nathan Elder, who crossed a ball in from the right that appeared to go to no-one but Simon King.

The season’s record attendance at Priestfield were expecting the ball to be cleared, that was until it rolled past the defender and straight into the path of MacDonald; the striker scoring probably the easiest goal of his career.

The Bees continued to dominate after their goal, which meant Gillingham were reduced to very little shots on goal for the remainder of the half.

After the re-start, Gillingham came out a different team, creating several chances and dominating the opening exchanges.

And their hard work paid off on the hour mark, as Canadian U-20 international Simeon Jackson got his 11th goal of the season. Nutter’s free-kick from the left was flicked goalward by Mark Bentley, before being turned in by Jackson.

The game then took a bizarre twist on 69 minutes, as a foul on Mark Bentley turned into a 20 man fight, with handbags flying everywhere. After the dust settled, Gills captain Barry Fuller received a yellow card, while Brentford forward Nathan Elder saw red for a push on Simon King.

Gillingham took advantage of having the extra man, and had several opportunities to get a winner. Had it not been for some excellent saves from talented young keeper Ben Hamer, the Gills surely would’ve won.

In the 88th minute, the game took yet another crazy twist. After a fairly routine challenge by Barry Fuller, referee Oliver Langford decided to even out the numbers on the pitch, and gave the Gills’ captain a straight red card for a tackle on Sam Wood. Apparently it was for ‘serious foul play’.

The numbers on the pitch were even, and they would soon be off it as well, as neither team scored in the remainder of the five minutes of time added on. The game finished with 10 men-a-side, and 1 goal-a-side, as Gillingham secured a deserved point to lift them up into eighth, and extend their unbeaten home run to eight games.

Having been unbeaten in nine home league games this season, the KRBS Priestfield stadium has become something of a fortress for Gillingham.

The last time Gillingham lost at home was back in August, against a strong Luton Town side who despite their financial troubles are one of the best sides in the Coca Cola League Two.

It is a tough task to get a win at Gillingham, and so far this season, 10 teams have cracked under the pressure and have either lost or got a lucky draw. But if there's any team that can defy the odds and break fortress Priestfield, then it is Brentford.

The Bees are currently sitting pretty in fourth in the league table, albeit just two points above ninth-placed Gillingham.

And the main reason for their success this season is their away record, having won four, drawn three, and lost just twice on their travels.

This record is partly due to the fact that, like in Gillingham's home games, they have one of the best defensive records in League Two, having conceded just six goals in nine away league games.

It will certainly be an interesting encounter on Saturday, as the side with one of the best home records in the league, and in fact in England, hosts the side with one of the best away records in the league.

It should certainly be a very entertaining encounter, and one that will be tough to predict, as both teams battle it out in their quest for promotion glory.

Team News

Gillingham

Things are looking good for the Gills, as apart from having Mark McCammon (hamstring) and Luis Cumbers (fibula) still sidelined, manager Mark Stimson has a fully fit squad to choose from.

Long-term absentee Dennis Oli could return to the side and possibly make the substitutes bench, after recovering from his foot injury and playing 75 minutes in the Gills' Reserves 2-2 draw with QPR midweek.

However, there is a bit of bad news, as Adam Miller will miss the match through suspension, after picking his fifth yellow card of the season in the game against Barnet.

Brentford

Bad news for Bees manager Andy Scott, as two key players, full back John Halls and midfielder Adam Newton, are both sidelined with knee injuries. Fellow midfielder Gary Smith will also be ruled out for the game, despite starting rehabilitation from injury.

There is one bit of good news for Scott, however, as goalkeeper Ben Hamer should return between the posts after missing last week's game at Bradford through suspension.

Officials

Referee:O Langford

Assistant Referees:JM Hayto and RP Whitton

Fourth Official: D Buck

Gillingham have extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games now, after star striker Simeon Jackson grabbed a late equaliser.

With goals from Michael Leary and John O'Flynn either side of Barcham's third goal in two games, Barnet looked to have secured the win, until Canadian international Jackson popped up two minutes into injury time.

In a rather entertaining first half, Gillingham had in fact scored first, when Simeon Jackson put the Gills ahead with a shot from outside the box. Well he thought he had, but the assistant referee ruled him out for offside.

Gillingham did have a few more chances before the break, most notably on 33 minutes. Jackson was again involved, being played through by winger Albert Jarrett, before unleashing a low effort that Barnet's Rob Beckwith was only just able to save.

The action of the second half carried on from the first, but in a more emphatic style, as Michael Leary opened the scoring with a fantastic shot into the bottom right corner, from around 25 yards. Barnet were ahead, much to the delight of the home fans, with only 12 seconds gone after the re-start.

However, Barnet's joy was cancelled out in the 68th minute. Andrew Barcham—the hero at Edgeley Park—was again the saviour for Gillingham, netting a fantastic equaliser to level the scores.

After picking the ball up in midfield, Barcham cut in from the left before racing into the box, where after seeing his initial shot blocked, made no mistake from the rebound, firing home a powerful drive into the bottom left corner.

The nearly thousand strong travelling contingent at Underhill were once again happy, and with Gillingham fans taking up almost half of the game's attendance, the people from Kent were making their joy known to the Barnet regulars.

Just as Barnet's joy was cancelled out, so was Gillingham's two minutes later. Nicky Deverdics crossed in for John O'Flynn to head home from close range, putting Barnet back on top, and on course for a much-needed win at home.

But that win was snatched from their hands with just seconds to go. A long throw from centre-back Garry Richards was flicked on by substitute Gary Mulligan towards Jackson, who lifted his shot over the 'keeper and into the back of the net.

A fantastic sight for Gillingham fans, with the dominant away crowd sent home happy after seing their side snatch a late, late equaliser—keeping them well within touching distance of the play-offs.

As for Barnet, they will no doubt agree with the cliché saying that football can be a cruel game. They made their shots count, their defence held on brilliantly for much of the remaining 20 minutes, and they surely looked to have won it.

But in the end it was not to be, as Gillingham took the point, keeping them in ninth, and unfortunately for the home fans, keeping Barnet down in 20th, still within touching distance of the bottom two.

It's back to reality for Gillingham, as the excitement of the Aston Villa game in January will be forcefully pushed to one side for the trip to Barnet.

In one of Gillingham's more local games, as captain Barry Fuller has said, the Gills need to put the excitement of the FA Cup behind them and concentrate on gaining some valuable league points at Underhill.

It is not something that should seem too impossible for the Gills, considering Barnet's current position of 20th in the Coca Cola League Two table.

The Bees have not enjoyed the best of times at home this season, with their record at Underhill contributing greatly to their slump well into the bottom half of the table. In nine games at home, Barnet have so far won just once, drawn twice, and lost six.

Goals have been just as hard to come by for poor old Barnet. They have only scored seven times in nine league games at home.

With Gillingham currently on a massive four game unbeaten run (trust me, when you're a Gills fan, that really is a lot), their FA Cup heroics mean they will have confidence of continuing their run, something which is needed if they are polish up their dire away record this season.

Team News

Gillingham

For the fourth time this season, manager Mark Stimson could name an unchanged side after there were no new injury concerns in the game against Stockport.

Nicky Southall will be back after being cup-tied midweek, but key strikers Dennis Oli (foot) and Mark McCammon (hamstring) are still unavailable. Promising young talent Luis Cumbers also remains sidelined with a fractured fibula.

Barnet

Barnet manager Paul Fairclough is not as lucky as Mark Stimson, with Barnet having some real problems in defense. Full-back Abu Ogogo, on-loan from Arsenal, and French centre-half Kenny Gillet both missed Saturday's game through suspension.

Joe Devera, another full-back and Barnet's current Player of the Year, looks very doubtful for the game as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

Officials

Referee: AM Penn

Assistant Referees: R Lee and S Burt

Fourth Official: D Ford

Gillingham has set up a dream date in the FA Cup Third Round, with two goals from on-loan forward Andrew Barcham being the difference between the Mighty Gills and Coca Cola League One side Stockport County.

The reward for Gillingham's fantastic 2-1 away win is a tie at home with Aston Villa, a game that will be broadcast live on national television.

For the third game in a row, Gillingham manager Mark Stimson named an unchanged side, with the same team starting that played Stockport County 10 days ago.

Stockport started better, created the game's first chances, and then scored. With 17 minutes of the game played, Stephen Gleeson put the home side ahead, beating experienced keeper Simon Royce at his near post.

Already thoughts of inevitable disaster were taking shape for the Gillingham fans. Much to their delight, these thoughts were wiped away seven minutes later.

Andrew Barcham, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, equalized for Gillingham after smashing home from 12 yards.

And 10 minutes later, the 149 visiting fans at Edgeley Park were sent into ecstasy, as Adam Miller ran the length of the pitch before feeding Barcham to slot home his second of the game, right in the far corner and out of reach of County's keeper Owain Fon Williams.

In the 42nd minute, Gillingham should've had their third of the night. After forcing his way into the box, Canadian international Simeon Jackson saw his low effort blocked off the line.

As the game wore on, there were some tense moments as Gillingham had some great chances to make it 1-3, and likewise Stockport had equally as good, if not better chances to make it 2-2.

But thankfully for the 1.7 million people living in the South Eastern county of Kent (in the UK), their only professional football team held on and secured a priceless victory, one that will forever live in the memories of all connected with Gillingham Football Club.