Match Previews

Preview | Fleetwood Town v Gillingham

21st August

Fleetwood Town v Gillingham

Sky Bet League Two

Highbury Stadium

Saturday August 22, 2026

Kick-Off, 3pm

Team News:

Club captain Liam Gordon is expected to miss some time after going off with a knee injury against Walsall on the opening day. Sheldon Kendall is in contention to be involved for Saturday as he has returned to training. Armani Little is a doubt after going off during the first half last weekend.

Ashley Maynard-Brewer is likely to be involved, having extended his emergency loan on Thursday.

Kane Thompson-Sommers is unavailable for Fleetwood after it was announced that he would miss a few months due to injury. Andy Cannon is continuing his work towards getting fit, while Matt Lawlor will have Mark Helm and Harrison Neal to choose from in midfield. Saturday will come too soon for Conor Haughey.

Manager Comments:

Matt Lawlor - “They’ve got a lot of good players… It will be a really tough game, with a hunger and a desire to come up to Fleetwood and do better than they have done results wise.

“We’re going to be prepared over the next two days for the best version of Gillingham.”

Gareth Ainsworth - “They are going to be big, physical, aggressive and at you. We know what to expect, but I also have players who can do a bit more this season. I am excited. Being back up in the northwest, it's one of our longest trips of the season, but I know that we will travel well with the fans. I want to give them something to be happy coming home with.”

Gareth’s exclusive interview with Gills TV can be seen here.

Previous Meetings:

Saturday will be the 22nd meeting between the two clubs, with Fleetwood leading the head-to-head with 10 victories to Gillingham’s four. The seven other fixtures have ended in a stalemate.

Our only victory at Highbury Stadium came three days before Christmas in 2017, as two goals in the opening 15 minutes were enough to ensure Steve Lovell’s side all three points.

It took the visiting Gills just two minutes to break the deadlock after Luke O’Neill played Scott Wagstaff in down the right-hand side. His low ball into the box found Josh Parker, who did brilliantly to turn his marker before beating Alex Cairns at his near post.

In the 15th minute, O’Neill doubled the visitors’ advantage. Parker played an excellent cross-field pass in behind the Fleetwood defence, which allowed Wagstaff to get on the end of it. He did well to angle his pass back to O’Neill, who cut onto his left foot before sending a low drive goalward from 25 yards out. His attempt had plenty of power as it flew into the bottom left corner of the net past an outstretched Cairns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fALSGar0a68

Ticket Information:

Tickets for Saturday’s fixture must be bought online via Fleetwood Town’s ticket portal. Seating and standing tickets are both available. Click the link below to buy.

BUY TICKETS | FLEETWOOD TOWN V GILLINGHAM

For ticket prices, a tutorial on how to purchase tickets via the Fleetwood ticket portal, coach travel and more- click here.

Streaming:

Domestic fans can pay for an audio pass, which are available to purchase for a one-off fee by clicking here.

Overseas fans have access to a video feed for a one-off fee with commentary from BBC Radio Kent.

Click here to buy.

Odds:

Fleetwood Town win - 10/11

Draw - 12/5

Gillingham win - 13/5

Match Officials:

Referee: Dale Baines