GILLINGHAM v STEVENAGE BOROUGH
Gillingham Vs Stevenage Borough by Ben Wainwright, Age 15 from Gillingham
The Gills began their pre-season campaign with glorious weather, but a disappointing defeat to the hands of Blue Square Premier side Stevenage Borough.
The Gills starting eleven looked a strong one, with the likes of Andrew Crofts, Simon Royce, Simon King, Gary Mulligan, Adam Miller and Simeon Jackson to name a few, within their ranks.
It was a promising start for the blues, with Gary Mulligan receiving a great lobbed pass from former Gills loanee Kevin Maher, who looked strong throughout.
It wasn't long before the tackles started to fly in, and the Gills number 11 looked to have made a dangerous challenge but the Referee's decision was a free-kick to Gillingham for apparent simulation from the Stevenage player. The free kick was nicely worked but Kevin Maher's cross was caught easily by the goalkeeper.
The best shot of the opening stages came on the 11th minute when midfielder Kevin Maher was allowed too much space in midfield and his speculative effort from the 30 yard mark was well tipped over by the Stevenage keeper. The Gills soon came close again, twice, just two minutes later when a clever shot from Adam Miller skidded just past the left-hand post and soon after when the lively Simeon Jackson used great skill to beat the defender when his shot was well denied by the opposing keeper.
Stevenage's first effort came on the 15th minute, when the whites No.9 found an opportunity to shoot but scuffed his shot and didn't even manage to work the keeper Simon Royce. The Gills seemed to have control of the first half and came close again with Crofts and Mulligan going close, and then Simeon Jackson having a shot deflected high over the goal and out for a corner, which was easily cleared by Stevenage. The next chance for Stevenage came when a cross from the right-hand channel almost found its way to the No.9, but he lacked the pace needed and couldn't reach it before the ball found its way out.
The closest the Gills came in the first half was in the 29th minute when a lay-off from Mulligan set up Crofts to hit a low shot crashing against the post and out. Later, on 36 minutes, Simeon Jackson's attempt on goal was blocked by the keeper and then when Andrew Crofts picked up the ball, his neat chip ended up just over the bar.
What was a lively first half, was followed up by a relatively quiet second, that was until on 49 minutes, when speedy Dennis Oli linked up with left-back John Nutter, with Nutter's ferocious strike flying just past the goal. But Gillingham were made to pay on the 54th minute as Stevenage gained a 1-0 lead, thanks to potent striker Steve Morrison, after he lobbed Gills' substitute Goalie Alan Julian after being put through on goal.
The goal rejuvenated the Away side and they went close on 64 minutes, with Anthony Thomas. Then Gills went close at the other end when the keeper was made to work to block a shot from Rory Hill, he then went close again, making the experienced Stevenage keeper save at full stretch.
Andy Pugh's volley went close late on, after being blocked off the line, it was now "last-chance saloon" for the Gills but Stuart Lewis's agonising last-ditch attempt could only go over the bar, and that's the way it stayed by full-time. Stevenage Borough 1, Gillingham 0.
Gillingham 0 - 1 Stevenage Borough report by Farron Rayment age 15 from Sittingbourne
Straight into the first ten minutes, the ball was played around the mid-field not creating much danger for the goalkeepers either ends. Gillingham started off with three spectacular shots which, one was tipped over the bar only put on target by deflection. Otherwise, you could say they were generally wasted chances not even hitting the target.
On the 30th minute, Croft hit the post with a venomous shot making the Stevenage goalkeeper have to dive full length in an effort to protect his goal. A neat move up the right hand wing produced a cross from Fuller to Croft who just placed the ball wide of the left hand post.
As the sun goes down it was obvious the Gillingham goalkeeper was struggling with the sunlight in his eyes, just in case he lets a goal in!
35 minutes into the game, a great strike was taken by Simeon Jackson and an equally great save by the Stevenage goalkeeper as the ball came at the bottom left hand corner, not only did the goalkeeper block it, he gathered up the powerful shot in his arms.
In the 44th minute Stevenage made a great attacking move coming down their right wing, followed by a great cross from Luke Cole although, it couldn't be matched by the striker who was late arriving and missed a simple tap-in.
Within dying minutes of the first half, Garry Richards was bundled over, resulting in a free kick which was the last opportunity for Gillingham to make an impact on the first half. The cross was put into the danger area but was dealt with by the defence.
As the first half ended, my overall impression was most of the attack came through the right wing. There was also some good possession in the mid-field, without making any serious attempts on goal.
Second half begins; Stevenage made a good counter attack up the right wing but was struck wide by Mitchell Cole.
In the 55th minute, Lee Boylan made a great effort in his cross although it wasn't quite picked up, Scott Laird made his best attempt with a shot, despite the fact he skied it.
Stevenage win a great push into Gillingham's half in the 60th minute enabling Steve Morison to make a delightful chip over the Gillingham goalkeepers head to go 1-0 up.
A truly exciting moment in the 65th minute when a Stevenage attack ended up with numerous shots at the goalie, it was like a human pinball machine, where Stevenage had several close up shots until Gillingham adopted a siege mentality just throwing themselves in front of the shots coming in. Successfully blocking them all, they resumed to normal play, where unfortunately Stevenage still had the upper hand of the game.
Stevenage carried the momentum with great inter-play which gives them great credit and certainly made them look much better than a conference side.
Its 9pm, flood lights would be good now! The players are disappearing into the darkness. At eight minutes past nine the flood lights were switched on in an attempt to brighten up this dull match from the semi-darkness. Now were able to see the players again, Stevenage still have the initiative.
In the last gasp attack from Gillingham, Rory Hill slammed a fierce shot at the bottom left of the goal, but the Stevenage goalkeeper pulled off a magnificent save at full stretch which kept Stevenage in the lead.
Alistair John made an inspirational run in the last few seconds, opening up the defence and causing problems in the penalty area although he wasn't able to finish.
A late rally from Gillingham brought some excitement for the fans, when suddenly Stevenage got pinned back in their penalty box for a good two minutes.
Stevenage got a late free kick down by the corner flag, a good cross but too close to the Gillingham goalkeeper as he picked it out the air.
In the two minutes extra time, Stuart Lewis hammered a shot just over the bar.
Overall, Stevenage worked very hard, and sadly looked the better team, although there were some good moments for Gillingham, there were not enough to end on a win. The trialist, Alistair John, was my man of the match for Gillingham as he successfully showed nice touches and great dummies, making the attack look dangerous.
Pre-season Friendly: Gillingham vs Stevenage Borough: Match Report by Yoosof Farah Age 16 from Gillingham
Gillingham started their pre-season friendly campaign today with a defeat, losing 1-0 at home to Stevenage Borough.
The game started brightly for the Gills as they dominated possession in the opening few minutes and created a few half chances, causing Stevenage a few early problems. The Gills could've then taken the lead on 11 minutes when Kevin Maher's deflected shot forced Stevenage keeper James Russell to tip the ball over the bar and out for a corner.
Stevenage did have a few chances themselves, and had a great opportunity to break the deadlock when Iyseden Christie beat the offside trap and was lined up for a free header on goal, but the striker failed to latch onto the cross, relieving the Gills defenders after a poor mistake.
Minutes later, the Gills had their best opportunity of the half to take the lead, when Irishman Gary Mulligan headed down for Andrew Crofts to shoot, but the Wales midfielder failed to convert, hitting the post with his low strike.
The Gills came close once again, when on 36 minutes Simeon Jackson hit a low effort which was rebounded into the path of Andrew Crofts, but his chipped effort drifted just over the bar.
For the second half, both teams featured virtually new line-ups, with Gills bringing on youngsters such as Taylor Thomas, Andy Pugh and Rory Hill. Stevenage however chose a more experienced line-up in the second half, bringing on more senior players, including their top scorer last season, Steve Morison. There was also a debut for former Boro keeper Alan Julian, who signed for the Gills this summer, as well as a game for trialists Alex Bailey and Alistair John.
Stevenage started the game brighter, and created quite a few chances, which meant Gillingham could only create their first real chance of the second half on 49 minutes, after a good run by Dennis Oli down the right side teed up John Nutter a shot on goal, but the defender hit his shot wide of the Stevenage goal.
Stevenage then broke the deadlock, when on 54 minutes, Boro's star striker Steve Morison was put through on goal, and made no mistake by chipping the advancing Julian to give his side the lead. The goal saw Stevenage grow in confidence, as they created several more chances, and came close on 64 minutes through Anthony Thomas.
Gillingham had a few opportunities to equalise later on in the game, when on 71 minutes, youngster Rory Hill hit a shot on goal after being first to react to a cleared corner, but his shot was straight at Boro keeper Ashley Bayes. Hill then had another chance to score with a low shot to the right of the goal on 81 minutes, but Bayes managed to turn it away to keep his side in the lead.
The Gills created a few more chances towards the end of the match, but just couldn't find that equalising goal, and subsequently lost 1-0 in the opening game of their pre-season campaign.
