A solid collective and organised performance from Gillingham ensured that they left Colchester United with a point on Saturday following a 0-0 draw.
Gills had their chances to take all three points during the game, with Aaron Rowe’s low drive inside the penalty area being cleared off the line by former Gill Jack Tucker. Matt Macey also did well to keep out Bradley Dack’s shot, which deflected off Seb Palmer-Houlden during the first-half.
Dack had several opportunities himself during the second period, including an ambitious lob that nestled onto the roof of the net.
Gareth Ainsworth made three changes to the starting XI that drew at Shrewsbury Town. Aaron Rowe returned to the starting XI, as did club captain Armani Little. Travis Akomeah made his first EFL start.
Max Clark and Jonny Williams dropped to the bench, while Sam Vokes missed out due to the calf issue he picked up at Shrewsbury. Louie Dayal and Logan Dobbs were both named as substitutes.
Jake Turner had to be quick off his line in the seventh minute. A long ball over the top allowed Harry Anderson to get in behind the Gillingham defence, and he was in a foot race against Turner to get to the ball. Fortunately, the Gills goalkeeper got there first, as he made the initial contact before it deflected off him and out of play for a throw.
Rowe made a fantastic block to deny the hosts in the 28th minute. A ball was slipped down the left wing, which allowed Micah Mbick to get in behind the Gillingham defence before playing a low-centred cross. It found Kyreece Lisbie, who held off Rowe initially before getting a shot away. However, Rowe did enough to get his leg in the way of the attempt to take it just wide of the target.
Moments later, Rowe came close to giving the visitors the lead. Remeao Hutton floated in a cross, which dropped to Rowe at the back post. The left wing-back on the day sent a low drive towards the far corner, which looked set to nestle in the back of the net until former Gill Jack Tucker got an important touch to deflect the ball around the post.
Matt Macey had to be alert to keep the ball out of the goal after 34 minutes. Hutton’s long throw was headed clear as far as Dack, who sent a left-footed volley goalward. It took a deflection off Seb Palmer-Houlden, changing the direction of the ball, as Macey reacted quickly to adjust and make the save.
HALF-TIME: Colchester United 0-0 Gillingham
Mbick nearly gave Colchester the lead after 49 minutes. Ellis Iandolo curled the ball into the box, finding Mbick, who headed goalward. His attempt floated towards the far post and looked as if it could sneak in; fortunately for the visitors, it went just wide.
In the 54th minute, Bradley Dack tried his luck with a speculative effort. A long ball forward was headed as far as Dack, who struck it first time on the half-volley. However, his left-footed shot from 25 yards went well wide of the target.
Moments later, Dack nearly scored an incredible goal. The ball was played in to him on the edge of the box by Garath McCleary, but Dack had to slide at full stretch to bring it under his control. While on the ground, he took it away from one defender before getting up and getting a shot away. Unfortunately, it lacked the power to cause Macey problems, and he gathered.
The midfielder tried his luck again seconds later as the visitors continued to apply pressure. Having won possession high up the pitch, Akomeah lofted it forward, and Palmer-Houlden knocked it down to Dack on the edge of the penalty area. He tried lobbing Macey, but his attempt landed on the roof of the net.
In the 69th minute, Elliott Nevitt replaced Palmer-Houlden.
Ten minutes later, Gillingham made a triple substitution, as Shad Ogie, Clark and Jonny Williams entered the game, replacing Akomeah, Rowe and Dack respectively.
Teddy Bishop dragged a shot wide of the post seconds later after Colchester broke forward. He had the ball on the edge of the box, but sent his low drive wide of the far post, and Turner was left untroubled.
Gillingham’s hearts were in their mouths in stoppage time, as Turner came for a cross which he could not get to. The ball was then stuck in a ruck of players, with both teams trying to make the definitive contact until Gills eventually cleared their lines.
FULL-TIME: Colchester United 0-0 Gillingham
Colchester United: Macey, Vincent-Young, Tucker, Araujo, Iandolo, Bishop (Gape 87’), Read, Lisbie (Edwards 68’), Anderson, Tovide (Williams 78’), Mbick (Goodwin 87’)
Unused Substitutes: Smith, Hunt, Kuffour
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Akomeah (Ogie 79’), McKenzie, Gale, Rowe (Clark 79’), Coleman, Little, Dack (J. Williams 79’), McCleary, Palmer-Houlden (Nevitt 69’)
Unused Substitutes: Holtam, Dobbs, Dayal
Referee: Oliver Mackey
Attendance: 4832 (839 Gillingham supporters)
