We look ahead to tomorrow's League Two encounter...
GILLINGHAM v ROCHDALE
npower League Two
Saturday September 29 2012
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Kick-off: 3.00pm
TEAM NEWS
Myles Weston is expected to be available for selection to manager Martin Allen for this weekend’s fixture at MEMS Priestfield Stadium. Jack Payne (groin) faces a week of extra training while fellow midfielder Charlie Lee is coming on well but, along with keeper Ross Flitney, are not quite fit.
The visitors will be without defender Kevin McIntyre as he sits out his one-match ban following his sending-off against Dagenham last weekend, the club failing with an appeal.
COLOURS
The Gills will be wearing their usual home kit of red shirts with blue sleeves, white shorts and blue socks while Rochdale will probably be wearing yellow shirts, blue shorts and yellow socks with blue trim.
SO FAR THIS SEASON…
Rochdale will come to Priestfield on Saturday lying 10th in the League Two table having picked up a dozen points (three wins and three draws) from their opening eight games.
After losing to Championship side Barnsley (4-3 after extra-time) in the Capital One Cup, the Dale opened their league campaign with two draws, at home to Northampton and at Chesterfield.
Following a 4-2 loss at Torquay, John Coleman’s team then faced three successive home games, the first was a 2-0 league victory over Barnet and three days later Fleetwood were beaten 4-2 on penalties in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a 2-2 draw at 90 minutes. The third match saw Burton Albion depart Spotland with the points after a 1-0 win.
Since then the club have gone three games without defeat, two away wins at AFC Wimbledon and Rotherham United preceded last weekend’s 2-2 home draw with Dagenham. In that game the Daggers hit back to take a point after defender Kevin McIntyre had been dismissed with Dale leading two-nil.
LEADING GOALSCORERS…
Much-travelled 37-year-old Dele Adebola, previously with the likes of Crewe Alexandra, Birmingham City, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest amongst others, is currently joint leading goal scorer for Rochdale.
Alongside him on four goals is former Scunthorpe United forward Bobby Grant, then there is Andrew Tutte (three goals), Jason Kennedy and Ray Putterill with two apiece followed by Ashley Grimes and Kevin McIntyre on one.
THE LAST TIME HERE…
Rochdale came to town twice during the 2008-09 League Two campaign. In the November goals from Gills Simeon Jackson and Dale’s Adam Le Fondre saw the league game end in a 1-1 draw.
Then, just over five months later, the two sides met here again in the second leg of the Play-Off final which followed a goalless first-leg draw. That evening Jackson proved to be the hero with a double either side of Chris Dagnell’s effort for Keith Hill’s side.
OFFICIALS -
Referee: David Phillips
Assistant referee’s: Constantine Hatzidakis and John Hopkins
Fourth Official: Adam Crysell