Fortnightly Gills Report

By Tom George
May 7 2007

After the heroic display at home to promotion-bound Bristol City, even the long-suffering Gillingham fans travelled with hope in their hearts to Derbyshire, where relegation strugglers Chesterfield lay in wait. Surely this was the day when the Gills recorded their first away win of 2007.

But it seemed after 90 minutes that an even more unlikely event was to occur- a no score draw. It was more than 70 games since the last one, but pools forecast was lowered by a Roy of the Rovers finish by Andy Crofts, heading in his eighth of the season from a Bentley cross. Two players who have been consistently good for the club this year combining for a well deserved victory.

The team was clearly gaining in confidence and when Port Vale came to Fortress Priestfield only one result seemed likely. After Ian Cox scored his fifth goal for Gillingham to make it one-nil, it was all one way traffic. Flynn scored with a header and a sublime free-kick to put the Gills 3-0 up and looking for their biggest win of the season. However, it would be unlike Gillingham to make anything look simple, and a fantastic volley from Whittaker , and a penalty by Leon Constantine slightly tarnished the day, and the debut for emergency signing Simon Royce. However, the team had produced three successive wins for the second time in the season, showing that consistency was all that the team needed.

The problem was certainly not a lack of support. An army 0f 1500 Gills fans saw a mediocre performance from the side, who stumbled to a one-one draw after leading through yet another Crofts header. One performance stood out. That of Craig Stone. The teenager was sensational, providing the cross for Crofts and making the League One team of the week in his first start for the club. The fans hope that Stone can extend his stay, and become a quality player for the club in years to come.

The good atmosphere was marred by an unnecessary pitch invasion, forcing the players to leave the party early. Such scenes, as seen at Leeds on that day, do not have a place in modern football, and it was pleasing to see the Gills home support act with dignity and integrity on the last day at Yeovil.

So, the final day was finally here. The season over for Gillingham if not Yeovil. Goals from Kakala and Gray put a slur on a decent finish for the side, who have had little to play for in recent weeks. After the game, Jarvis said an emotional farewell to the Priestfield crowd, on what could be the last time he sees them as a Gillingham player.

Onto the transfer front, with 11 players out of contract this summer, it seems inevitable that the club will have a new look. With the likely entrance of Charlie McDonald from Gravesend and the possibility of the highly rated Jason Scotland from St. Johnstone, it seems that Jepson wants the impetus put on attack. Sadly it seems the end of the Priestfield road has come for loyal servants Cox and Spiller. The pair have served Gillingham with full commitment for many years, and it will be sad if they both move on in the close season.

Hopefully, next season will see an improvement in fortunes, and hopefully a chance to blood some youngsters from our successful youth set-up.