Two quick-fire goals from Swansea's Guillem Bauza brought them from a goal down to win here at KRBS Priestfield and, with it, promotion to the Championship. However, it was not made easy by Mark Stimson's men who battled throughout the ninety minutes and succeeded in making the top side in the division look rather ordinary. Dennis Oli had given the Gills the lead in the 22nd minute when he latched onto the ball as it popped up from a melee of players and slotted home from 12 yards.
The lead was certainly not against the run of play as Gillingham had got on top of the game from the opening whistle and began to create chances with only six minutes on the clock. A Nicky Southall cross was met by Andrew Crofts after he had made a late run into the box. However, the Swansea defender had done well and managed to knock the Gillingham skipper off balance and the header went high and wide.
However, just six minutes later Gillingham could have, and many would argue should have, taken the lead when Simeon Jackson blasted over the bar from seven yards out on the angle. He was put through by a Dennis Oli screwed shot that evaded all black and green shirts and ran into the path of Jackson. Swans keeper Dorius De Vries came off of his mark early and made himself big as the Gills forward struck it over the bar. But, it was soon forgotten as the next chance fell to his strike partner, Oli, and he finished it with aplomb.
The 1400 Swansea fans were silenced for the first time in the match and their nerves were not helped when Oli was again on hand to have a strike on goal. Good work from Kevin Maher, returning to the midfield for the first time since March, took him into the box where he was met with two lunging challenges but the ball screwed away and Oli latched onto it in a flash. However, he could not keep his effort down and it flew over the bar.
Gillingham had begun very well and were knocking it around with the freedom of mind that you would expect a team in higher position would. Swansea, when they had the ball, were in contrast - often closed down by two or more blue shirts, they struggled to get service to their front men and were pegged back. Their nerves were encapsulated when right back Marcos Painter headed across his own goal, inches away from his cross bar, from a Southall corner.
From the resulting kick, Crofts again came close with a bullet header that flew just wide of the post.
It was all Gillingham and they again came close when Jackson knocked the ball past young centre-half, Ashley Williams, and beat him for pace. However, with no support he was forced to check his run, swivel onto his right foot then flashed a strike across goal.
Swansea forged their first chance of the half in the 38th minute when the tricky winger, Andy Robinson, cut in onto his right foot and blasted a shot from 30 yards. It never looked like coming down as it flew high into the Rainham End.
A minute later and Jason Scotland came exceedingly close to levelling the difference. The powerful striker, who has bagged 29 goals this term, managed to hold off Danny Cullip on the far edge of the box, turned on a six-pence, and shot just wide of the far post. Indeed, it was to be the best we would see out of Scotland, who was kept quiet by Cullip, King and Richards all afternoon.
Going into the last five minutes of the first half and Gillingham were looking comfortable to go into the break in the lead. However, in a matter of two minutes Swansea had found an equaliser and a winner - both from the same man, Guillem Bauza. His first came when Gills keeper Derek Stillie could not keep hold of a long range effort and Bauza was the quickest to react to tap it in from 3 yards. The goal was draped in controversy as it appeared that Stillie had both hands on the ball when Bauza tapped it in; however the referee waved away all appeals and the goal stood. Matters were made even worse when it was that man Bauza who gave the visitors the lead. Again, it was controversial to say the least. The Spaniard received the ball just inside the area, as Stillie again parried away a strike, and looked to control it with his arm as he unleashed a well taken volley into the bottom far corner.
Into the second half and Swansea were relatively happy to sit back on their advantage in a bid to prevent what happened to them against Bournemouth repeat itself. Gillingham accepted the initiation and began to push forward.
The first chance of the half fell to Crofts, who was perfectly placed to pick the ball up inside the area and aim a volley goal bound. But, with so many Swans players back defending, the ball could not find a way through and rebounded to safety off a host of bodies.
Unfortunately the game descended into a period of bad challenges and messy football as the Gills' frustration began to grow. Swansea were simply sitting back and closing all the doors.
Gills' fans had to wait until the 67th for the next real effort of the match. Substitute Leroy Griffiths put in a low cross which Jackson collected with his back to goal. He then turned his marker and got in a low drive that De Vries saved comfortably down to his left.
Just short of the 80th minute, Gillingham could have been level when Jackson failed to connect with a superb Southall cross. The Gills forward had escaped his marker but was inches away from flicking the ball past De Vries.
The final effort of the match fell again to Jackson, who did well to work himself enough space ten yards from goal by turning his marker to aim a strike at goal. However, on his left foot, he dragged it somewhat and it ran wide of the far post.
Then, after four minutes of extra time, the referee blew his whistle to certify that Swansea will be playing in the Championship next year. We would like to congratulate Swansea on their promotion and wish them all the best for next season.
The Gills will next be in action next Saturday when they travel to Bristol Rovers. To book your tickets, please call our GFC Ticket Office on 01634 300 000.
There is one change to the side that managed a draw at Millwall last weekend with Kevin Maher coming in for a suspended Mark Bentley to make his first appearance since March. A notable inclusion to the substitute's bench is young forward Andy Pugh, who is looking to make his sixth appearance in a Gills shirt.
Gillingham: 22. Derek Stillie, 37. Garry Richards, 4. Danny Cullip, 5. Simon King, 11. Nicky Southall, 38. Barry Fuller, 27. Kevin Maher, 7. Andrew Crofts, 36. Adam Miller, 28. Dennis Oli, 20. Simeon Jackson.
Subs: 13. Chris Kiely, 2. Donovan Simmonds, 17. Andy Pugh, 19. Sean Clohessy, 30. Leroy Griffiths.
Swansea: 21. Dorus De Vries, 14. Marcos Painter, 15. Dennis Lawrence, 5. Alan Tate (c), 36. Ashley Williams, 7. Leon Britton, 8. Darren Pratley, 18. Andy Robinson, 23. Guillem Bauza, 26. Paul Anderson, 9. Jason Scotland
Subs: 3. Kevin Austin, 17. Owain Tudor Jones, 24. Darren Way, 28. Thomas Butler, 29. Febian Brandy
