We bring you the second part of our official 2013/14 season review
Going in to October the Gills were 17th in the league table having secured just one victory, but having been eliminated in all three domestic cup competitions, focus quickly turned to ensuring League One status was maintained.We look at how the final three months of 2013 unfolded.
OCTOBER
Two Danny Kedwell penalties, following Tom Flanagan’s sending off in the opening minutes, helped to achieve a 3-2 home win over MK Dons.
Danny Hollands, on loan from Charlton, got a decisive third with Patrick Bamford having pulled the scores level.
The optimism was short lived though after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury at Greenhous Meadow, a result which saw Manager Martin Allen removed from his post after just nine points from the opening 11 fixtures.
Peter Taylor was announced as Interim Manager on October 14, his first game resulted in defeat to Preston before clinching all three points in an entertaining match against Notts County.
The month finished with a 2-1 defeat to Port Vale – Danny Kedwell having given Gills the lead in a solid first half display.
Danny Kedwell celebrates scoring against MK Dons
Results –
MK Dons (H) 3-2 – 05.10.13
Shrewsbury Town (A) 2-0 – 12.10.13
Preston North End (H) 1-2 – 19.10.13
Notts County (H) 2-1 – 22.10.13
Port Vale (A) 2-1 – 26.10.13
NOVEMBER
Gills began the month well, narrowly beating Carlisle 1-0 at Priestfield before a last gasp Bradley Dack goal forced a replay against Brackley in the FA Cup.
Taylor’s men lost the replay but, sandwiching the fixtures, came a fantastic 2-1 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Oldham walked away from Priestfield with a 1-0 win before another 3-2 victory, this time against Stevenage, where loanees Donervon Daniels and John Mousinho got on the score sheet.
Rotherham then recorded a convincing 4-1 win at the New York Stadium in a game which saw Jake Hessenthaler make his debut.
Peter Taylor applauds the traveling fans at Bramall Lane.
Results:
Carlisle (H) 1-0 – 02.11.13
Brackley (H) 1-1 – 09.11.13 (FA Cup)
Sheff Utd (A) 1-2 – 16.11.13
Brackley (A) – 1-0 – 18.11.13 (FA Cup)
Oldham (H) – 0-1 – 23.11.13
Stevenage (H) 3-2 – 26.11.13
Rotherham (A) 4-1 – 30.11.13
DECEMBER
A trip to Meadow Lane resulted in a 3-1 loss to Notts County before Peterborough struck late to snatch a point in a 2-2 draw at Priestfield.
Akinfenwa then returned to the starting line-up away at Tranmere, and bagged himself a brace as Gills won 2-1 at Prenton Park.
Orient took all three points on Boxing Day, but Gills were back at Priestfield three days later to draw 2-2 with Walsall.
Cody McDonald finds the net against Walsall
Results :
Notts County (A) 3-1 – 07.12.13
Peterborough (H) 2-2 – 14.12.13
Tranmere (A) 1-2 – 20.12.13
Leyton Orient (H) 1-2 – 26.12.13
Walsall (H) 2-2 – 29.12.13