Gillingham FC

After their brilliant performance in the FA Cup last weekend, it's back to the Coca Cola League Two for Gillingham, as they welcome Chesterfield to the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

Mark Stimson's Gills side currently sit ninth in the league table, three places above Chesterfield, who are in 12th.

For Gillingham, home form has been the key their success so far, as they have the second best defensive record in England, conceding just four at home, and going eight games unbeaten at "Fortress" Priestfield. It will be this form that manager Mark Stimson will hope get Gills the win, and hopefully move up into a play-off place.

Chesterfield will also be looking for the win however, and will want to improve on their slightly patchy away form this season. On their travels so far, Chesterfield have won three and lost four, and are averaging two goals a game away from home. They will look to star striker Jamie Ward for goals, as he is currently joint top-scorer in League Two.

Team News

Gillingham

Nicky Southall is back in contention after being cup-tied for the game against Stockport County, while key striker Mark McCammon looks set to miss the game due a hamstring injury he picked up last weekend.

Dennis Oli is also set to miss out on Saturday, as he has two weeks to go before he has fully recovered from his foot injury. Promising young striker Luis Cumbers will miss the game as well as he is sidelined with a fractured fibula.

Chesterfield

For Chesterfield, defender Alan Goodall will miss this game due to a one match suspension. He was due to miss the FA Cup second round match against Droylsden, but his suspension has been carried over to this week due to the abandonment of the cup tie.

Officials

Referee: PN Gibbs

Assistant Referees: JP Magill and SD Lewis

Fourth Official: MJ Foley

Action

Gillingham's quest for playing one of the Premiership's big boys in the FA Cup third round is still on track, after a goalless draw at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium meant there will be a replay at Edgeley Park.

In a game where Gillingham were made to rue countless missed opportunities, poor refereeing decisions and a strong Stockport defence meant that Gillingham will have a tough task if they are to actually play the team they will draw in the third round.

A trip hundreds of miles up north on a cold Tuesday night is not what Gillingham had in mind as the outcome of today's game, but that's what it will be.

On the evidence of Stockport's home form, and indeed at times their performance today, it will be no easy task as Stockport too will try to look for one the Premiership's big guns in the next round.

There will be no question Gillingham were the better side in this match, and had several chances to get that winning goal, but with manager Mark Stimson not bringing on key strikers Gary Mulligan and Mark McCammon until it was too late, no-one really expected stand-in striker Adam Miller to get any goals, or indeed help strike partner Simeon Jackson in any way. 

Reaction

After seeing his team produce some fantastic football against a side a league above them, manager Mark Stimson was pleased with the way Gillingham performed today.

He said: "At half-time I said to the players: That was the best 45 minutes I’ve seen since I’ve been here.

"The biggest decision of the day was for the referee to make when Jackson was through and their big centre half was climbing all over him. We didn’t get a free-kick; we didn’t get anything from it. That could have changed the game.

"It was a great FA Cup tie, it was like rolling back the years and the fans should go home proud of the players."

However, he once again seemed oblivious to the fact that we wasted countless opportunities and did not score.

(www.kentonline.co.uk)

The long road to Wembley will continue on Saturday when Gillingham play host to Stockport County in the second round of the FA Cup.

The 1-1 draw with Rochdale on Tuesday meant Gillingham keep the title of 'Fortress Priestfield' intact, and also meant they've climbed one place up to ninth in the table.

The Gills have been impressive at home this season, having been unbeaten for eight games now. That's in the league however; in cup competition, things are rather different. Colchester United have single-handedly knocked Gillingham out of both the Carling Cup, and the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, in the Gills' own back yard.

Apart from the league, the most prestigious cup competition in the world is all we have left to play for now.

For Stockport County, promoted to the Coca Cola League One via the playoffs, the FA Cup is all they have to play for as well. And they too will fancy their chances of making it to the next round.

There is no denying the Hatters do have a decent chance of making it to round three. They are a league above Gillingham, they're further up the table in their own league than what Gillingham are in theirs, and they have a fantastic away record.

Five wins, three draws, and only one defeat on their travels mean that Gillingham will have their work cut out if they are to maintain they're eight game unbeaten home record.

As it always is with cup games, the game on Saturday will most likely be a highly charged encounter, with both sides playing for the added incentive of playing one of the EPL's big guns in that magical third round.

Arsenal or Chelsea would be dream opponents for either team in the next round. And Gillingham or Stockport would indeed be dream opponents for Chelsea or Arsenal in the next round, as it would give the youngsters a chance, and make their own road to Wembley so much easier.

Team News

Gillingham

After the game against Rochdale, manager Mark Stimson was left with two injury concerns, as Garry Richards was taken off early in the second half after a kick in the knee, and Leigh Mills left the field after clashing heads with a Rochdale player.

Mills should be back in time for the game against Stockport, but Richards is a big doubt as he lacks match fitness.

Young forward Luis Cumbers is ruled out after sustaining a suspected fracture of his fibula last week against Bury. Dennis Oli still remains on the sidelines following his foot injury sustained in September.

Key midfielder Nicky Southall is ineligible for the Stockport as he is cup-tied, having represented Kent rivals Dover Athletic in the FA Cup qualifying rounds.

Andrew Barcham, who has extended his stay at the Gills for another month, is expected to return after missing the last two matches with concussion.

Stockport County

Stockport manager Jim Gannon will be boosted by the return of two of his key players, as Jimmy McNulty (hamstring) and Johnny Mullins (back) played midweek against Brighton and are now match fit.

On loan signings Craig Davies and Stephen Gleeson have both been given permission to play by Oldham Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.

Matchday Officials

Referee: Pat Miller

Assistant Referees: Michael George and Carl Berry

Fourth Official: Steve Creighton 

Having seen their opponents only concede three goals at home in the league all season, Rochdale know they will have their work cut out if they are to break that record and snatch a win at the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

Gillingham have been in fine form at home this season, and throughout all of the professional leagues in England, have the second best defensive record, behind Chelsea, who are also on three goals (but unfortunately their in the EPL and the Gills aren't, so they're first).

However, if there's any time to strike, it's now for Rochdale, as the Gills come into this game on the back of a heavy 4-0 defeat. Confidence seems to be a bit low in the Gillingham camp at the moment, and that's something Rochdale could capitalise on, as they've enjoyed considerable success on their travels this season.

Three wins, four draws, and only one defeat away from home show that the Dale will be one of the harder opponents for Gillingham in this league, also considering the fact that they're sitting pretty in third place in the table, and are on an eight-game unbeaten run following last weekend's 2-0 victory over Luton Town.

It will no doubt be a tough test for Gillingham, but then again Rotherham United were meant to be the best team in the league, and look we did to them. I wouldn't bet against a reverse of last week's scoreline at Bury.

Team News

Gillingham

Mark Stimson's side emerged unscathed from the visit to Bury, and although there are no new injury concerns, Stimmo might be tempted to shuffle his pack following the 4-0 defeat.

Canadian striker Simeon Jackson could return to the starting line-up on Tuesday, after being benched following his long trip back from Jamaica with the Canadian Senior squad.

Fellow forward Andrew Barcham could return after missing the trip to Gigg Lane with concussion, while Dennis Oli (foot) is nearing a return, but most likely won't be risked for the game against Rochdale.

Rochdale

Dale manager Keith Hill has only one injury concern following his side's home win over Luton, but it's a significant one, as influential captain Gary Jones was taken off injured in the game at Spotland. It is believed that Jones suffered medial knee ligament damage, after contesting a 50/50 with Hatters defender Michael Spillane.

K.0 7.45pm

Officials

Referee: SD Cook

Assistant Referees: L Betts and SJ Long

Fourth Official: GS Evetts

Gillingham failed to replicate the success they achieved in the FA Cup two weeks ago, losing 4-0 to Bury at Gigg Lane, ending their three game winning streak.

The Gills, who hadn't even conceded a goal throughout their winning streak, were undone by the Bury attack after only nine minutes; David Buchanan crossing in for an easy tap in for Andrew Bishop.

30 minutes later, Gillingham found themselves 2-0 down, when Brian Barry-Murphy's corner kick was bundled home by Glynn Hurst.

The Gills responded well at the start of the second half, and took the game to their hosts with some neat exchanges and decent opportunities. Adam Miller had a shot on the edge of the area deflected wide, before Albert Jarrett whipped in a teasing low cross for John Nutter to have a shot saved off the line.

However, all these opportunities meant nothing as Bury added a third very much against the run of play, as Bishop again netted from close range, scoring his second of the game just before the hour mark.

Bury then compounded Gillingham's woes on 63 minutes, as Glynn Hurst got his second of the game. Bishop this time the provider, sending in a cross from the left for Hurst to head home, wrapping up an emphatic victory.

There was still time for more action however, as Gillingham were awarded a penalty in the 73rd minute. A Simeon Jackson through ball sent Mark McCammon clear, only for the Barbados international to be brought down by Wayne Brown. The Bury keeper escaped with a yellow card, and a still intact clean sheet, as Adam Miller's weakly hit penalty was easily saved.

Gillingham had one last chance before the end for a consolation, but after captain Barry Fuller's long ball found Simeon Jackson on the edge of the area, the Canadian international hit his shot well wide of the mark.

Attendance: 2,068     (208 from Gillingham)

Gillingham: Simon Royce, Barry Fuller, Simon King, Garry Richards, John Nutter, Nicky Southall (59 Simeon Jackson), Mark Bentley, Curtis Weston (84 Luis Cumbers), Albert Jarrett, Adam Miller, Gary Mulligan (68 Mark McCammon)

Subs: Alan Julian, Leigh Mills

Bury: Wayne Brown, Paul Scott, David Buchanan, Ben Futcher, Stephen Dawson, Glynn Hurst (78 Danny Racchi), Andrew Bishop, Brian Barry-Murphy (84 Richie Baker), Mike Jones, Efetobore Sodje, Elliott Bennett

Subs: Steve Haslam, Ryan Cresswell, Andy Morrell

Gillingham will aim to replicate their success from the 1st round of the FA Cup when they take on Bury in a re-match at Gigg Lane on Saturday, in Coca Cola League Two.

Since that win over Bury two weeks ago Gillingham have been in fine form, extending their winning run to three games with the 4-0 home win over Rotherham United, pushing the Gills up to seventh in the League Two table.

After making a fantastic start to the season, Bury have slipped off the pace and have slid down to ninth in the table. They're on a bit of a losing streak at the moment, having lost their last five games in all competitions at home, following up the FA Cup loss to Gillingham with a 0-2 home defeat by Grimsby Town.

Team News

Gillingham

There seems to be no real injury worries for manager Mark Stimson, as after key strikers Simeon Jackson and Mark McCammon returned from injury last week against Rotherham, Gary Mulligan (virus), Curtis Weston (hip), and Andrew Barcham (head injury) all return from injury and are available for the trip to Bury.

The only likely absentee is Dennis Oli, who despite making good progress in his recovery from a foot injury, will not be fit enough in time for the visit to Bury.

Bury

Bury manager Alan Knill will have the luxury of a full strength squad when his side host Gillingham this weekend, after coming through last weekend's defeat at the hands of Grimsby with no injury concerns.

There will one change in the side however, as striker Chris O'Grady will leave the team and return to Oldham Athletic after his one-month loan deal has expired.

So after Gillingham winning in their last three games, and Bury losing their last five home games, can Gillingham replicate the success they achieved in the FA Cup 1st round, and once again beat Bury at Gigg Lane?

Gillingham extended their unbeaten run to seven games today, with a rather comfortable 4-0 victory at the KRBS Priestfield stadium.

Simon King gave Gillingham the perfect start on six minutes, heading home from a Nicky Southall free-kick. Adam Miller made it two on 58 minutes, tapping the ball in after Mark McCammon's shot was parried by the Rotherham keeper.

The score was made 3-0 on 78 minutes, as centre-half Garry Richards got on the end of John Nutter's cross and headed home unchallenged. And just to put the icing on the cake, there was also a first senior goal for Luis Cumbers; the 20-year old tapping in an Albert Jarrett cross two minutes from time.

It was a fantastic win for the Gills, which was made rather easy after Danny Harrison got himself sent off for a challenge on captain Barry Fuller with only 35 minutes of the game played.

And after winning by such a big scoreline (well, it is for the Gills), I will analyse three things that determined the scoreline.

The Formation

In the first half, Gillingham played a basic 4-4-2 , Simeon Jackson returning from injury to partner the on-loan Andrew Barcham up front.

This formation worked quite well; Rotherham couldn't break us down and we scored, through centre-back Simon King's header early on to give the Gills a perfect start.

In the second half, we switched to a 4-3-3 formation, with midfielder Curtis Weston being replaced by Mark McCammon, another key striker returning from injury.

Now, I had doubts about this formation, as although we would have more players up-front, we were now more vulnerable at the back, as losing that extra midfield player has proved so costly for us before.

However, manager Mark Stimson got the formation spot on, and the 4-3-3 paid dividends as we scored three goals in the second half.

A great decision by the manager,  if we had kept a 4-4-2 we could've been less likely to attack as often, and therefore might've given 10-man Rotherham chances to attack us. And it almost goes without saying that it was better than the 4-5-1 formation, for obvious reasons.

The Substitutions

There was one key substitution that stood out for me; replacing Simeon Jackson with the young Luis Cumbers.

With many players tiring out on the pitch, (from both Gillingham and Rotherham), Stimson decided to bring on fresh legs and replace the rather tired Simeon Jackson with the quick-footed Luis Cumbers.

And with Gillingham 3-0 up, it was the perfect time for young Cumbers to show what he could do without the pressure of a tight game.

And he did.

The tired Rotherham defence could not keep up with him, and the substitution paid dividends when he scored Gillingham's fourth, boosting the Gills' goal difference as well as emphatically wrapping up three points.

Another important substitution by Stimson was to give Mark McCammon a game and change to the 4-3-3 formation.

This was good for McCammon, as he needed a game to get back to full fitness, and good for Gillingham as it meant they could play the 4-3-3 and really attack an un-suspecting Rotherham, who would've expected Gillingham to shut up shop and defend for the second half, as in previous matches, remember the 4-5-1?

Counter Attack

This is a clear weakness for Gillingham; they are simply not capable of striking teams on the counter attack.

The ball breaks out from the edge of the box, and Gillingham find themselves facing their opponent's goal with four their players compared to only three of their opponent's.

Now, where Gillingham seem to fail with the counter attack is that the player with the ball always gets caught in two minds. They don't know whether to run with it for a bit, or release it now to the forward making the run.

They spend a bit too long on the ball and then get closed down, and the counter attack stops.

Or occasionally they release the ball at the right time, in which case either the accuracy on the pass is always lacking, or the forward or player making the run seems incapable of controlling the ball.

It is these basic technical skills that are lacking from the lower league players, which makes them simply unable to create a decent counter attack. Gillingham had eight opportunities for a counter attack in this game, and not once did they actually manage to counter attack.

If they had been able on at least two or three of those occasions, I can assure you Gillingham would've won by a bigger scoreline.

The game against Rotherham was meant to be the toughest test in the Coca Cola League Two for Gillingham, a thought shared the fans, the players and the manager. However, if this game's result is anything to go by, despite failing on the counter attack, overall Gillingham passed with flying colours.

Rotherham United have been outstanding this season, and had it not been for their 17-point deduction, at the moment they would be sitting comfortably in the League Two play-offs. They have bounced back from their points deduction and have gotten out of the relegation zone, ahead of Grimsby Town who didn’t have a points deduction.

Rotherham also have an impressive away record, having won three, drawn three, and lost just once in their seven away games this season.

Gillingham have made the KRBS Priestfield Stadium something of a fortress, with five wins, one draw, and just one defeat in their seven homes games this season, and have been unbeaten at home in the league since August.

At the moment Mark Stimson’s Gills side currently lie 10th in the Coca Cola League Two table. Last week’s 1-0 win away to Bury in the FA Cup means it was Gillingham's second successive win in which they’ve kept a clean sheet.

It will be a very interesting encounter at KRBS Priestfield on Saturday, where the mighty Gills will look to use their impressive home record to keep their home stadium’s title of "Fortress Priestfield". Rotherham will look to use their impressive away record to take away that title.

Gillingham have an impressive home record, Rotherham an impressive away record. It is too hard to say who will win in this undoubtedly exciting encounter.

Team News

Gillingham

The Gillingham squad emerged unscathed from last weekend’s FA Cup 1st Round win over Bury, so Mark Stimson’s only injury concerns remain his absent trio of forwards, who will most probably miss out on the Rotherham game.

Key strikers Simeon Jackson (ankle) and Mark McCammon (hamstring) will most likely make the next game however, while Dennis Oli (foot) most likely won’t return until the end of the month.

Rotherham United

Rotherham’s only injury concerns are the already injured Stephen Brogan (broken leg) and Mark Lynch (shoulder), after Mark Robin’s side came through injury free from their Carling Cup clash with Stoke City.

Rotherham will also be boosted by the return of loan-signing Richie Barker, who was cup-tied for the clash with Stoke after representing parent club Hartlepool United in an earlier round of the Carling Cup.

A second-half header from Andrew Barcham sent Gillingham through to the Second Round of the FA Cup after they secured a 1-0 win against Bury at Gigg Lane on Saturday.

Bury started the game brightly and came close to opening the scoring after just two minutes, when Andy Morrell cut in from the right before seeing his shot deflected over the bar for a corner.

Gillingham registered the first shot on target after seven minutes but Adam Miller’s effort failed to trouble Bury goalkeeper Wayne Brown.

The home side continued to push forward and had the ball in the net on 15 minutes when Brian Barry-Murphy’s corner was headed home by Paul Scott, but referee Andy Haines ruled the goal out after spotting a foul inside the area.

Albert Jarrett’s right-sided cross briefly caused panic in the Bury area, before Elliott Bennett went close at the other end with a long-range effort which finished just over the bar.

Curtis Weston also went close with a 43rd minute header which was saved by Brown.

In the second half, Bury came out strongly and were denied a certain goal on 47 minutes when Barry Fuller made a brilliant last ditch tackle on Morrell.

Gillingham failed to offer much of an attacking threat throughout the second half as Bury continued to try and find a breakthrough.

Morrell headed over for the home side before Jarrett saw his free-kick go straight into the hands of Brown.

Gillingham opened the scoring against the run of play when Curtis Weston found himself in space on the right, before sending over a cross which was headed home by Andrew Barcham on 71 minutes.

Bury immediately pushed forward in search of an equaliser and Gillingham goalkeeper Alan Julian had to be at his best to save a close range shot from Michael Jones after 73 minutes.

The Shakers threw men forward in an effort to find the equaliser but Gillingham held out and will be in the hat for the Second Round.

They may have won 2-0, but no way was today's game as comfortable as it sounds. It was a lacklustre performance by Gillingham today, and with the game still at 0-0 with 70 minutes gone, one could only think here we go again.

No matter who we were playing, things were going to be tough today.

Top scorer Simeon Jackson was still ruled out through injury, and both Mark Bentley and captain Barry Fuller were suspended, meaning Garry Richards had to drop back into the right-back role, and Mark McCammon came in to partner Gary Mulligan up front.

Andrew Barcham was switched to the left wing after his services were secured in the 11th hour from Tottenham midweek.

In my view, the game was so boring there wasn't really much worth noting in the first half. 25 minutes into the second half, and still nothing that interesting. But then a minute later, the Gills fans' worst fears were wiped away as loan signing, Andrew Barcham poked the ball into the back of the net.

A first goal of the game for Gillingham, and a first in Gills colours for Andrew Barcham, who has recently extended his loan spell at KRBS Priestfield for another month.

Minutes later, and the mighty Gills doubled their advantage. John Nutter sent a testing corner to the near post for Gillingham's other Tottenham Hotspur loanee, Leigh Mills, to power home and give the Gills a two-goal cushion.

Albert Jarrett looked set to wrap up a rather unconvincing win for the Gills with an undeserved third when he was sent one-on-one with the Chester City keeper, but instead decided to do the right thing and hit the ball straight at keeper John Danby.

A wasted opportunity most would think, but after knowing his team didn't deserve a third, think of it as good sportsmanship by the Sierra Leone winger.

Right before the end, manager Mark 'Slaphead' Stimson decided to give 16-year-old Jack Payne his first-team debut. Lucky b*****d, he's the same age as me and he gets to play for the Gills. Whereas I, on the other hand, have to waste £175 of my own money just to watch the Gills!

All in all, the Gills are back to winning ways. This result leaves them on 21 points just outside the playoffs, but away performances have to improve for us to have any chance of promotion.

This may have been an unconvincing performance and an undeserved 2-0 win. But who cares? The Gills have won, and winning when you have an off day, now that really is the hallmark of Champions.