GILLINGHAM 1-0 ACCRINGTON
Back-to-Back League Wins for the Gills
Manager Mark Stimson made two changes from last week's side that won against Darlington. For the visit of Accrington Stanley, new loan signing Charlie Daniels made his debut on the left side of midfield, meaning Dennis Oli had to go on the right, replacing Tyrone Berry.
Gillingham had the better of the opening exchanges and had a great chance on 9 minutes. Mark McCammon rose above Accrington's defence and hit a good header on goal, but keeper Kenny Arthur was on hand to save it off the line.
The Gills continued to have the better possession, but didn't make their next real chance until 22 minutes into the game. After shrugging off the challenge of defender Phil Edwards, Simeon Jackson drove the ball into the box, and smashed a shot near the right post that needed to be pushed out to safety by Arthur. Garry Richards had his header blocked off the line from the resulting corner.
Accrington had their first chance of the game 4 minutes later, when James Ryan's free-kick rebounded off Barry Fuller and back to the midfielder, who curled a second attempt just wide of the right post.
A minute later Mark McCammon had yet another chance for the Gills, as he headed just over the crossbar following a John Nutter corner.
Andthe Barbados international had another great chance just before the interval. The big striker found himself unmarked in the Accrington area, but failed to capitalise as he was quickly denied by the onrushing Kenny Arthur.
Gillingham came out in the second half again the better side, and had their first chance after the break on 50 minutes, when Simeon Jackson was in a position to score, but failed to capitalise as he couldn't get the ball out from under his feet.
Gary Mulligan then replaced Mark McCammon, and it might've seemed that the Irishman could make another instant impact.
Simeon Jackson shrugged off his marker and digged out a shot on target that forced Kenny Arthur into a save to push the ball behind. John Nutter then picked out Mulligan from the resulting corner, and the striker hit a header that flew just wide of the far post.
It now seemed inevitable that Gillingham would score, as the Gills poured forward time and time again in pursuit of that winning goal. On 60 minutes Charlie Daniels far post cross was headed just wide by captain Andrew Crofts, and on 65 minutes Garry Richards headed just over following a corner.
Kenny Arthur was then called to make a dramatic diving save to turn an Andrew Crofts header round the post and out to safety.
But that safety of a clean sheet was about to disappear, as Gillingham finally scored that goal they threatened to do all match.
And it was Dennis Oli who got the goal. The big forward slotted coolly under Kenny Arthur after he collected a cross at the near post from Charlie Daniels.
After taking the lead, Gillingham could've doubled it when Gary Mulligan hit a shot just over the crossbar, following good work from Simeon Jackson and Adam Miller to create an opening for the striker on 81 minutes.
Accrington then turned up the heat in the closing stages as they went in pursuit of that equalising goal. But it was not to be for Stanley, as the Gills held on to record back-to-back victories and push up to ninth in the table.
Reported by Yoosof Farah, 16
Gillingham 1-0 Accrington Stanley
Venue:KRBS Priestfield Stadium
Referee:David Phillips
Attendance:4,733
Man of the Match:Curtis Weston- the creative midfielder passed the ball well, and ran the game from the centre of the park. He looks like a very useful signing, who could be a vital player in Gillingham's bid for promotion.
Gillingham recorded their first home win of the season in fine sunshine, against visitors Accrington Stanley, who haven't played at Priestfield for over 40 years. A late Dennis Oli goal was enough to see an attacking Gillingham side through, although they could, and should have won by a much bigger margin.
There was only one change in the staring XI after Gillingham's win at Darlington last Saturday, with Charlie Daniels, on loan from Tottenham, making his debut at left midfield. Dennis Oli played on the right, meaning winger Tyrone Berry had to be content with a place on the bench.
A bright start for the home team saw Mark McCammon come close to breaking his Gillingham duck. He met a John Nutter corner firmly with his head, but goalkeeper Kenny Arthur was able to keep the ball out.
The Gills continued to press, the best chance of the half falling to Simeon Jackson mid-way through. He managed to beat left-back Phillip Edwards on the wing, before dribbling with the ball into the area, and drove a powerful shot goalwards, but was unlucky to see it deflected just wide. From the resulting corner, Garry Richards almost scored his second in two games, but his header was cleared off the line.
Soon after, Accrington Stanley had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down. James Ryan's powerful free-kick was blocked by a diving Barry Fuller inside the area. The ball looked to have rebounded off his arm, but the referee waved play on.
McCammon then could have scored again, this time heading another well-aimed Nutter corner into the ground, the ball bouncing agonizingly over the bar.
The half-time whistle was met with a round of applause, with the Gills the far more threatening of the two teams. However, they couldn't quite apply the finish, a problem which was to continue throughout the second half.
Gillingham continued their momentum, with Charlie Daniels, who had been fairly anonymous during the first period becoming far more involved. He put in a dangerous low cross early on, Jackson only prevented from meeting it at the near-post by a strong tackle from the defender.
Jackson had another chance moments later, this time he couldn't quite get the ball out from under his feet, but still forcing Arthur into making a save, pushing the ball behind. Substitute Gary Mulligan, who was impressive after coming on early on in the second half, sent a glancing header from the corner inches wide of the far post.
The Gills kept the pressure on the visitors, with a whole host of chances coming in an excellent 20 minute spell. On the hour-mark, captain Andrew Crofts headed wide from a Daniel's cross, while the Spurs man had a curling free-kick deflected away from goal shortly after. From the ensuing corner, Garry Richards headed narrowly over at the far post after a brilliant Mulligan flick-on.
The visitors could have taken an undeserved lead when Paul Mullin headed a Chris King cross wide from close-range. The striker really should have done better, as he was totally unchallenged in the air.
Two great chances for Gillingham followed. The first going to Andrew Crofts, who saw his well-directed header superbly clawed away by Arthur, diving at full-stretch to his left. Then Gary Mulligan turned well to latch onto a Jackson through ball, but could only drag his shot wide from a tight angle.
As the clock ticked away, the Gills finally took a wholly merited lead on 75 minutes. Dennis Oli collected a ball in from Daniels on the left, before firing in a left foot shot, which squirmed under the body of the keeper and into the net.
The lead could have been doubled 5 minutes later, when substitute Adam Miller combined well with Jackson. The diminutive striker laid the ball back to Mulligan, who fired the ball over the bar from 18 yards.
The final whistle was greeted with delight from the Gills fans, who have now seen their team record back to back wins. It looks like the team have found some momentum, and are now creating chances. The only worry still is that not enough of these openings are taken, but many will hope that the strikers will begin to bag more goals as confidence grows. However, Mark Stimson is reportedly after another striker, which will put more pressure on his current options to perform.
Gillingham face Grimsby at home next week, and will hope to secure a third consecutive victory against a visiting side who are yet to win this season.
Rob Richardson
Age 16
Gillingham V Accrington Stanley
After a dull opening Accrington Stanly first attack was stopped by a great tackle from Barry Fuller.
Gills first corner ended with a miss of the line.
After a second chance the Gills still have not scored.
After a near shot just longed the goal shot by Jackson.
From the corner only a graet save by the goalkeeper kept the scores level.
After an extremly close shot by Crofts shot was deflected.
A corner headed over by McCammon bouncedover the goal.
After some good parcing by the team wich lead to a sadly missed goal.
After a heated crowd two members kicked off in front and behind me about football after the happy boat sailded.
Half time score was 0-0
A close hit was made but still the score was level still.
A corner was taken by Nutter and was headered around for a while but was shot out.
McCammon off and Mulligan on.
Mulligan made a great run but did not reach the goal.
After Nutter took anther corner but still nothing.
Anther close hit but still nothing.
From a corner Richards headed over the bar.
Crofts headed against the post.
Just after that Mulligan hit wide.
Mulligan got a close shot butmissed the goal.
At long last a GOAL!!!!!!!!
Oli had scored.
The man of the match was Curtis Weston.
The final scores 1-0 to US!!
Accrington Stanly came for a 0-0 draw but we proved different.
I thought Mulligan changed the game.
Written By
Andrew Buskell
Age 12
Gillingham picked up their first home win of the season after beating Accrington Stanley 1-0 at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium. Dennis Oli's effort in the 75th minute proved to be enough, giving the Gills back to back wins for the first time since April 2007.
Mark Stimson made one change to the side's last gasp win at Darlington. Charlie Daniels made his debut four days after signing for the Gills on loan from Tottenham. He replaced Tyrone Berry starting on the left of midfield.
Gillingham started the better of the two and could have taken the lead as early as the 9th minute. An inswinging John Nutter corner found Mark McCammon, whose header was cleared off the line.
The Gills kept up the pressure and could have taken the lead through Simeon Jackson. He shrugged off Philip Edwards to find himself one on one with the keeper. The shot was deflected and from the resulting corner, Garry Richards' header was again cleared off the line. McCammon came close a few minutes later after heading just over from a Nutter corner.
The second half started brightly and in the 50th minute, Jackson was unable to connect to a Daniels' cross into the box. The 55th minute saw the first substitution, McCammon being replaced by Gary Mulligan and almost made an instant impact. A Nutter corner found Mulligan who headed inches wide of the far post. Mulligan's introduction breathed new life into the Gills, who started to pile on the pressure to the Accrington defence. Daniels' pin-point cross found Andrew Crofts who headed agonisingly wide of the far post on the hour mark. In the 65th minute, a corner found Richards, who headed just over after a nice touch from Mulligan.
Gillingham had a scare just minutes later when Paul Mullin connected with a Chris King cross to head wide of the near post.
Crofts had an identical chance to his earlier effort in the 70th minute. The Gills skipper connected with a Daniel's cross, but Arthur was on hand to turn it past the near post. Mulligan could have broken the deadlock after arriving first to a Jackson through, but narrowly shot wide.
The crowd of 4,733 could sense a goal coming and it arrived with 15 minutes to go. Another Daniels' cross found Dennis Oli on the edge of the six-yard box and his scuffed shot managed to creep under the Stanley keeper. From the restart, the impressive Curtis Weston was forced off with a hamstring injury, replaced by Adam Miller. Simon King was also forced off through injury and was replaced by Mark Bentley. Despite late pressure from the visitors, the Gills held on for the three points and continued their good start season with 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat.
After the game, assistant manager Scott Barrett was delighted with the win. "The way we played was excellent. I think the fans can see what we are trying to do but it will take time. That is the way Mark Stimson and I want to play and that is how we are going to try and encourage our teams to play."
Gillingham's next game at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium is against Grimsby Town. The game today has seen many improvments from the defeat to Luton. The defence looked more solid with the return of Garry Richards and Simon Royce, who limited Accrington to just a single decent effort. The result has produced our first clean sheet of the season which is very encouraging considering the Gills defensive record over the last few years. Another positive was the performance of debutant Charlie Daniels. Despite a nervous first half, he looked very dangerous with his deliveries into the box, which set up Oli for the goal and could have set up another three. My man of the match was Curtis Weston. Since his arrival from Leeds, he has provided pace and creativity to the side; something that we have lacked for a number of years. Stimson seems to have brought the best out of him in the centre of midfield. Another positive was the impact that Gary Mulligan had on the side when he came on. He seemed to light up the team and had some good link ups when going forward. Over the summer, his shooting has improved and he gives extra option if the frontline is struggling. I am delighted that Stimson has kept Mullers, seeing as a departure looked imminent during the summer. This could be his best season for the Gills yet.
Up the Gills!!
Chris Williamson, Age 16
