February was a busy month in the loan transfer market for Gillingham with no less than four strikers making temporary moves to pastures new. Today we take a look at how that quartet has settled-in.
The most experienced of the four is Mark McCammon who turned down a similar offer with promotion-chasing Rotherham United to join Peter Taylor's new look Bradford City, a decision he explained to the Yorkshire Evening Post, "I know Rotherham are pushing for promotion but I have the utmost respect for Peter Taylor and this is one of the biggest clubs in the division."
McCammon made a winning start to his Bantams career, leading the line for 62 minutes in the 1-0 win over Darlington at Valley Parade. He managed 58 minutes in the subsequent defeat to Aldershot and was an unused sub as Bradford overcame Rotherham United at the Don Valley on Sunday.
On Tuesday night Mark came on as a second half substitute in the 1-2 defeat to Port Vale and admits he needs match fitness if he is to rediscover his best form for the Bantams, "Right now, I just needs games under my belt because it has been difficult with six or seven strikers competing for places at Gillingham. Maybe they will want to extend the deal? I will try my best and see how it goes."
Fellow forward Andy Pugh has enjoyed mixed fortunes since joining Blue Square Premier side Histon last week. A graduate of the Gills Centre of Excellence, Pughy made his debut as a second half sub for Charlie Sheringham in last week's 0-1 defeat to Rushden & Diamonds.
He was given his first start at the weekend, partnering Sheringham for a full 90 minutes as the Stutes gained a goalless draw with Gateshead but missed out on last night's 1-0 win over Tamworth after picking up an injury in training.
Pugh's regular partner in the Reserves, Luis Cumbers is nearing the end of his first month on loan at Blue Square South Dover Athletic. The Kent side, managed by former Gillingham star Andy Hessenthaler, have endured a frustrating time of late which has seen the early pace-setters struggle to keep in touch with the play-off places.
Luis made his debut as a second half sub in the Whites excellent 2-1 away win over promotion rivals Braintree Town. He came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Maidenhead and was handed a start in the 0-0 draw with Braintree and last night's 2-0 home loss to lowly Worcester City.
That result leaves Dover seventh in Blue Square South, four points behind Staines Town who occupy the final play-off place, but with one game in hand on their rivals.
The last of the quartet is young striker Jacob Erskine who has been a big hit since joining Blue Square South Bishops Stortford last month. Jacob debuted, playing a full ninety minutes and setting up the home side's first, in a 3-0 home win over his former club Bromley.
He then set up two and netted his first for the club in the Bishops 8-2 Hertfordshire Senior Cup demolition of Stevenage Borough and played a full 90 minutes, once again, in Saturday's 0-3 defeat to high-flying Chelmsford City.
Meanwhile second year apprentices Charlie Stimson and Tom Murphy have also been gaining valuable first team football whilst on work experience with Maidstone United and Ashford Town respectively.
