Second half strikes from Charlie Kelman and Vadaine Oliver have boosted Gillingham’s League One survival hopes as the Neil Harris “Great Escape” moved ninety minutes closer with a road win at Accrington Stanley.
Kelman’s rebound from Oliver’s saved effort followed ten minutes later by the leading scorer’s towering header over home keeper Joe Isherwood proved enough to send over 250 travelling fans wild in celebration, and not even a home stoppage time spot kick could spoil what must have been a wonderful trip home that was undoubtedly boosted by the news of AFC Wimbledon’s continuing winless run (a one nil home loss to Cambridge United) – twenty one without a win – meaning that the Gills head South four points now on the right side of the relegation trap door.
Harris travelled North knowing that his side would face another tough examination against an Accrington side unbeaten at home in nine games, and the home side were fast out of the blocks as Aaron Chapman was called into early action by Colby Bishop.
Oliver fired into the side netting, before causing home keeper Isherwood to fumble Ryan Jackson’s long throw only for Jack Tucker’s toe-poke to be scrambled off the line.
That was more or less that for the opening half, but whatever home boss John Coleman said to his players at the break certainly seemed to work as the visitors were indebted to Chapman for keeping the score line blank. The Gills stopper turned over Bishop’s overhead kick; magnificently denied Korede Adedoyin as he tried to bend the ball around Chapman before defying logic to keep out Ryan Sykes’ header.
Their keeper’s heroics seemed to spur his team-mates and nineteen minutes into the second period, Kelman struck. Jackson’s long throw caused problems in the home defence, and Oliver did superbly to get a shot in. Isherwood pulled off a fine save only for the ball to fall to Kelman and the QPR loan striker did the rest – scoring for the second away game in succession.
Ten minutes later the lead was doubled as again the home defence couldn’t deal with a Jackson throw. This time the Accrington defence seemed to have cleared the danger, but as the ball fell to Danny Phillips, he looped the ball back into the danger zone where Oliver outjumped the oncoming keeper and powered home a header – cue wild scenes of celebration behind the goal!
As the ninety minutes elapsed, Chapman’s resistance was finally broken but only from the penalty spot as Jackson was penalised for a foul and Bishop drove home from twelve yards. Seven minutes later, referee Oldham finally blew his final whistle – after not blowing (thankfully) when Tucker appeared to have “fouled” Sykes going for a header – and the points were tucked away with the kit for the trip back South.
Whisper it quietly but Gillingham’s League One future is now well and truly in their own hands – six “Cup Finals” left: three at Priestfield and three road trips starting next weekend at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland…
ACCRINGTON STANLEY – Isherwood, Rodgers, Hamilton (O’Sullivan 69), Sykes, Pell (Longelo 88), Bishop, McConville, Nottingham, Coyle, Clark, Adedoyin (Pritchard 69).
Subs not used – Hood, Rich-Baghuelou, Butcher, Conneely.
Goal: Bishop (pen 91).
Booked: Adedoyin (62), Sykes (66).
GILLINGHAM – Chapman, Jackson, Tucker, Ehmer, Masterson, Tutonda, O’Keefe (Phillips 60), Lee, Thompson, Kelman (Reeves 89), Oliver.
Subs not used – Dahlberg, Maghoma, Akehurst, Chambers, Dickson-Peters.
Goals: Kelman (64), Oliver (73).
Booked: Thompson (81).
REFEREE – Mr Scott Oldham
Attendance: 2,764 (253 Gills).
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.