Centurion Crofts rescues Gills

By Jack Nolan
December 21 2006

Andrew Crofts scored a 93rd minute equaliser against Bournemouth on his 100th start for Gillingham. The Gills went down just before the break following woeful defending by Brent Sancho however Gills fans shall be encouraged by the performance of Danny Spiller.

Gillingham.1.1.AFC Bournemouth
Priestfield Stadium
Coco-Cola Football League One
16/12/2006


Friday's Guardian claimed that should the Cherries fail to earn any points at Priestfield Stadium, under pressure boss Kevin Bond shall face the sack, and will be disapointed to return with just the one point having been one minute away from a surprise victory at Priestfield.

Gillingham fans were surprised to hear that Dean McDonald failed to make the sixteen to face Bournemouth, with no mention of McDonald picking up an injury and was replaced by Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu.

Bournemouth had the first opportunity of the game, when a mistake by Gillingham defebder Dany Jackman allowed Cherries captain Steve Fletcher to shoot from 25 yards, only to shoot well over the bar.

Gills boss Ronnie Jepson was fuming with the linesman when he gave three offside decisions against the Gills, which Jepson believed were all onside.

Gillinghams best chance of the half fell to Gills striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu who was unlucky to see his shot go wide of the Cherries goal.

It was seven minutes shy of the half time interval however when Bournemouth took the lead. A very poor corner from defender Danny Jackman fell to James Hayter who played a long ball the hope of finding a Cherries player and with Sancho being caught out of position left Cox to deal with a hard ball who slipped to leave Vokes one on one with debutant Brill who was unlucky not to get to the ball and Vokes got round Brill and slotted past Cox's best efforts to deny him.

The whistle to signal the end of the first half was welcomed with jeers from the home crowd. Following a thrilling penalty shoot out, Gillingham boss Ronnie Jepson replaced striker Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu with Danny Spiller which seemed as wise choice by boss Jepson following a pretty poor first half performance by Dave.

Eight minutes into the second half, Gillingham had a glorius opportunity to equalise after Crofts being brought down on the edge of the area with referee Ray Lee making a good decision for a change. Jackmans free kick hit the wall however the ball fell to former Cherries man Ian Cox who picked out Croft's who's header was well saved by the in form Neil Moss.

Gillingham were totally dominating the game and with the hour mark first approaching, the Gills had another glorius chance to snatch an equaliser. Jackman's 30 yard effot was deflected wide for a corner then following the corner kick Jackman had his goal bound effort once again well saved by former Gill Niel Moss. Before Jackman's long range effort Duncan Jupp went the closest yet to getting an equaliser. Jupp's powerful drive smashed against the crossbar, leaving Gills fans cursing their luck, nothing would go in!

Twenty minutes from time, Gills' in form striker Gary Mulligan saw his shot parried by 'keeper Neil Moss and with Moss still trying to get back to his feet Mulligan tried to find the half open side of the goal only for his shot to find the outstretched leg of a Cherries defender. Danny Spiller then attempted an over head kick only for it to go straight into the hands of the thankful Niel Moss.

Gillingham's home debutant Dean Brill pulled off a stunning reflex save to deny Hollands' twelve yard effort following one of three second half attacks by Bournemouth.

Neil Moss then pulled off another stunning save this time to deny Matty Jarvis who found himself one on one with the Cherrie''s 'keeper following a brilliant through ball from Flynn.

Niel Moss then pulled off yet another brilliant save this time to deny a well taken Danny Spiller free-kick. Gills fans were still bemoaning their luck think just nothing would go in for them.

Bournemouth then could have put the game beyond doubt only for Brill to deny them a second and a nother chance smashing against the post.

It was then a corner kick that Gills fans were sent into ecstasy just seconds from the final whistle. A Micheal Flynn corner kick found the head of centurion Andy Crofts. Spiller however and a couple other Gills players showed their winning mentality immediatly collecting the ball from the net in the hope of scoring a winner.

The game finished all square however leaving the Gills seven points off of both the play offs and relegation zone. The Gills travel to Prenton Park in their next fixture hoping to win rare away points.

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GFC ONLINE MAN OF THE MATCH

DANNY SPILLER

Spiller seems to be returning to the old Spiller who was linked with big money moves. Expect to see him in the starting eleven more in future. Ronnie Jepson even said how he believes Spills is returning to his old self.

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