Trigger returns to haunt Gills
By Jack Nolan
October 14 2006
Former Gills favourite Nicky Southall returned to haunt the GIlls after his fifty minute strike. Just under eight thousand saw the two time European Cup champions defeat the Gills who did have a good penalty appeal turned down on 77 minutes.
Gillingham.0.1.Nottingham Forest
Priestfield Stadium
13/10/2006
Coca-Cola Football League One
Forest had the first real chance of the game when former Gill Neil Harris founded space only to shoot straight at Gills 'keeper Scott Flinders.
Then just after ten minutes Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu picked out Matty Jarvis who won the Gills a corner. The first corner was kicked out for a second corner kick and that one crossed in by Clint Easton found Ian Cox who's strong header was cleared off of the line by the eventual match winner Nicky Southall.
Then on fifteen minutes Forest striker Junior Agogo broke free of the Gillingham defence only to shoot into the side netting.
The Gills then started to dominate the game and Gary Mulligan broke free with Matty Jarvis to his left only for Mulligan to hold on to the ball for too long and end up losing possesion.
After the half hour mark though Forest striker Junior Agogo caught the Gills defence napping to get one on one with Gillingham 'keeper Scott Flinders but Flinders did enough to put the Forest man off and force him into an early shot which went high over the bar.
Gillingham star Matty Jarvis has recently been attracting Premiership interest this month and had a glorious oppurtunity to show them what he could do. Good work by skipper Mickey Flynn picked out the Gills man who got in a shot eight yards out only for Forest 'keeper Paul Smith to pull off a fine save.
Then, on the stroke of half time Clint Easton almost scored another stunning strike at Priestfield. His fourty yard effort went narrowly wide of the Forest goal.
The Gills went in at half time pretty pleased to be holding the table toppers and after a thrilling penalty shoot out during half time the Gills came out in search of taking the lead.
But it was Forest who looked the most likely to score and Neil Harris had a glorius oppurtunity to score upon his return to Priestfield. Harris' shot inside the box was brilliantly tipped over thanks to an acrobatic stop by Sott Flinders, but even if Harris hadn't have made it there it would have been dissalowed as Junior Agogo was offisde.
Twelve minutes into the second half though and former Gills favourite Nicky Southall gave Forest the lead. Kris Common's cross wasn't dealt with and Nicky Southall was left in acres of space to fire home.
Minutes later the Gills had a good chance to equlise when Duncan Jupp's well taken free kick found Ian Cox who's header went well over the bar. Minutes after that Matty Jarvis had a good oppurtunity to score but his shot also went well over.
The fifteen minutes from time Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu had a strong penalty appeal turned down by Andy D'urso. Guylain ran into the box about to shoot but was brought down leaving ROnnie Jepson fuming at the former Premiership referee.
Susbstitue Dean McDonald then had a good chance to equlise late on forcing a good stop from Forest goalkeeper Paul Smith. Duncan Jupps cross missed everyone and the ball fell to McDonald who got good contact with the ball but was just a bit too close to the Forest 'keeper.
Four minutes was added on and in the third minute of those two Mark Bentley had a good chance to equilise - his header going well over the crossbar.
The game finished one goal to nothing to the table toppers, with the final whistle being met with strong jeers from the Priestfield crowd.
On a positive note promising youngster Luke Howell made his first team debut for the Gills. Many Gillingham fans will question though as to why Gillingham midfielder Danny Spiller didn't even make the bench.
GILLINGHAM RATINGS
Flinders - 8
Jupp - 8
Easton - 6
Cox - 6
Johnson - 6
Jarvis - 7
Bentley - 6
Flynn - 5
Crofts - 7
Ndumbu - Nsungu - 8
Mulligan - 6
Views:
Ronnie Jepson
Jepson's comments to follow....
Collin Calderwood
"Against Scunthorpe to beat Gillingham today, saying: "I would like to consign the Scunthorpe game to history, but it is a good reminder to us. Last week we got what we deserved, this week we gave everything and got what we deserved. We worked hard during the week and the players showed their maturity, their quality and their ability. Gillingham were a real threat early in the game but we came back strongly, with a good mentality. I knew that Harris had knowledge of their defenders from his time at Gillingham but he also worked hard and showed why he is in the side. So far the way all four have combined has not always shown itself as it has in training. All four want to play up front and it is super to have that competition. It is also great to have that option on the bench and Grant Holt proved that today. We have got to show our individual ability to the Nottingham public at home and show how good a team they are."
Stats:
Nottingham Forest dominated the possesion 54% to Gillinghams 46%. The Gills had more shots on target - five of Gillingham's shots were on target to Forests' two, the Gills also had more off target with eight going wide to Forests' five. The Gills won eleven corner kicks to Nottingham Forest's three. Forest were commited eighteen fouls to GIllinghams fifteen.
Other:
Gillingham: Flinders, Jupp, Johnson, Flynn (Savage 86), Cox (Howell 85), Crofts, Bentley, Ndumbu-Nsungu, Easton, Mulligan (McDonald 66), Jarvis.
Subs Not Used - Jackman, Collin.
Nottingham Forest: Smith, Gary Holt, Morgan, Breckin, Southall, Commons (Clingan 64), Harris (Grant Holt 72), Perch, Curtis, Agogo (Cullipp 86), Bennett.
Subs Not Used - Thompson, Pedersen.
Bookings: None
Attendance: 7,800
Referee: Mr Andy D'Urso