Sam Gale scored his first Gillingham goal as his last-minute winner was the difference in the 1-0 win against Crewe Alexandra at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
The goal came from an Armani Little corner, which was directed towards the near post. Gale made the initial first contact, flicking it towards the back post. Sam Vokes headed the ball back into the danger zone, where Gale reacted the quickest to thump home from a couple of yards out.
Gareth Ainsworth made one change to the starting XI that beat Chesterfield 4-1 in midweek, as Bradley Dack replaced Jonny Williams, who dropped to the bench. Max Clark returned to the matchday squad, having missed the previous fixture due to suspension.
Mickey Demetriou hit the top of the crossbar in the sixth minute. Max Sanders curled a free-kick from the right of the penalty area towards the six-yard box. Demetriou flicked it goalward, with his attempt bouncing off the top of the crossbar before it went away from the danger.
Glenn Morris had to be alert to deny Tommi O’Reilly. The ball was flicked into his path as he travelled towards the box with Sam Gale providing pressure. O’Reilly shifted the ball onto his left foot, evading Gale before getting a shot away. His curling effort was at Morris, who palmed it away before the hosts cleared their lines.
Crewe had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled out for offside. O’Reilly curled the ball towards the back post, which was headed back across the goal for Conor Thomas, who had his attempt saved. Demetriou blasted the rebound into the roof of the net, but the linesman’s flag was raised for an offside.
Josh Andrews had a half-chance in the 30th minute. The ball was played towards the forward, who did brilliantly to hold off a defender who was heavily marking him. Andrews played it out to Remeao Hutton on the right, who travelled forward before passing the ball inside back to the Gills number nine. Andrews struck it first time, sending his effort wide of the post.
O’Reilly’s snapshot from inside the box was saved by Morris. The Crewe man smacked his attempt towards the near post, with the Gillingham goalkeeper standing firm to deny him.
In the 35th minute, Hutton did a fantastic job of carrying the ball forward. He outmuscled one Crewe player before using great footwork to take it past another. The right-back played it into the feet of Andrews, who laid it back for Nevitt. Unfortunately, he could not find the target, dragging his effort wide of the post.
Tom Booth was called into action after Andrews did well to hold off a defender before getting a shot away from 25 yards out. However, his low drive was straight at Booth, who got down to make a routine save.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Crewe Alexandra
Gills started the second half brightly and were denied by a big block from the hosts. Lenni Cirino got towards the left byline before dinking a cross towards the back post. It was headed down into the path of Dack, who volleyed goalward with a Crewe defender getting in the way to ensure it did not test Booth.
The hosts had a massive let-off in the 53rd minute. A long ball was sent forward, and Morris came out trying to head it out of play. However, he misjudged his attempt, and it went over his head. That allowed Josh March to latch onto the ball with an empty net to aim at. He sent a low drive towards the near post, with his shot hitting the side netting.
Sanders rattled the woodwork moments later. The ball was played out to the midfielder on the edge of the penalty area, before he sent a vicious first-time effort goalward. Morris was left rooted to his spot as it looked as if the ball would nestle into the top corner. Fortunately, it smacked the face of the crossbar before bouncing away.
Elliott Nevitt did well to get a shot away on the hour. The former Crewe forward weaved his way into the penalty area, taking the ball beyond multiple defenders before shooting from a tight angle. His effort towards the near post was palmed away by Booth before the ball was headed out of the box.
There were hearts in mouths as Crewe came inches away from taking the lead. March got played down the left side of the box before sending a low ball across the six-yard box. It was met by O'Reilly, who came sliding in. His attempt hit the inside of the post before Gale came in at the final moment to make the goal line clearance.
In the 71st minute, Gills made a triple substitution. Jonny Williams, Aaron Rowe and Sam Vokes replaced Dack, Cirino and Andrews respectively.
Nevitt did well to take advantage of a loose ball, using his pace to drive beyond the visiting defenders. He cut inside on his right foot before shooting towards the far top corner. Unfortunately, his attempt went high and wide of the target.
O’Reilly had another good opportunity as he and March linked up again. March dinked a cross towards the back post, with O’Reilly lying in wait. He headed goalward with his attempt looping over the crossbar.
Rowe was inches away from giving Gillingham the lead on 81 minutes. Hutton’s cross evaded everybody, and Rowe did well to keep the ball in play. He brought the ball onto his right foot before blasting a shot towards the far corner. It took a slight deflection on its way to the goal and it whistled past the top corner.
From the resulting corner, Rowe had another opportunity. The set piece was initially cleared by the visitors before Gills regained possession. Rowe had the ball to the left of the centre and shifted it onto his right foot before shooting from 25 yards out. His attempt was towards the near post, with his low drive going just wide.
Gale scored his first Gills goal in the 89th minute. Armani Little’s corner towards the near post was flicked on by Gale towards the back post. It was met by Vokes, who outjumped Booth, heading it back towards the six-yard box. Gale reacted the quickest to thump the ball into the back of the net, sending the MEMS Priestfield Stadium into raptures.
Gillingham did well to see the game out as Crewe could not muster another opportunity during the six minutes of stoppage time.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 1-0 Crewe Alexandra
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Smith, McKenzie, Gale, Cirino (Rowe 71’), Little, Coleman, Dack (J. Williams 71’), Andrews (Vokes 71’), Nevitt
Unused Substitutes: Turner, Clark, Khumbeni, Wyllie
Crewe Alexandra: Booth, Billington, Demetriou, Connolly, Hutchinson, Lunt (Tezgel 68’), Thomas (Moult 84’), O’Reilly (Finney 84’), Sanders, Agius (Golding 68’), March
Unused Substitutes: Waller, Powell, Thibaut
Referee: Abigail Byrne
Attendance: 6089 (234 away fans)
