Gillingham remain in the bottom two of the Football League after being held to a goal-less draw at Crawley Town.
In a game that was postponed due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and sadly this was no game in tribute as both struggling sides gained a point each which probably does no good to anyone.
The only person who probably always remember this contest is young striker Jo Gbode who made his first League start for the club – some journey from his days in a Gillingham school.
In tight and tough first half chances were at a premium. Jack Powell’s early free kick missed the Gills goal by inches whilst Gbode was inches away from a glorious debut.
Shaun Williams did really well to divert Cheye Alexander’s centre into the youngster’s stride and his first time shot beat the keeper and sadly for all in white the post as well.
The second half was equally as frustrating – Stuart O’Keefe went closest for the visitors as he forced home keeper Ellery Balcombe into his only true save of the contest. His opposite number Jake Turner then denied Jake Hessenthaler (son of Gills legend and Dover boss Andy) in stoppage time as the home side thought they’d grabbed the points at the death, but goal-less it finished meaning that it’s now just six League goals in one thousand, seven hundred and ten minutes (plus stoppage time)… hardly the record to take into the Greatest Cup Competition in the World!
The Gills now move onto the Second Round at the weekend – whilst the manager will be first to admit what a massive place in Round Three would be to everyone at Priestfield, but he’ll also know that given what has gone on before, defeat could well be costly – to everyone!
Despite the point, Gillingham remain in League Two’s bottom two on goal difference.
Manager Neil Harris has a welcome break from league action this coming weekend with a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge to come on Saturday for the FA Cup 2nd Round clash with the later kick off of 5pm.
With two league games against Salford City and Bradford City to come at home on successive weekends, it’s a big few weeks ahead for a Gillingham side staring relegation squarely in the face now.
Crawley Town: Balcombe, Francomb, Craig, Lynch, Powell, Nichols (Fellows 65), Nadesan, Telford (Oteh 65), Tsaroulla, Jenks (Tilley 57), Hessenthaler.
Subs not used: Robson, Johnson, Ransom.
Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Ehmer, Wright, McKenzie, Williams, O’Keefe, Jefferies (MacDonald 72), Adelakun (Reeves 58), Gbode (Kashket 59), Mandron (Walker 58).
Subs not used: Holtam, Baggott, Green.
Booked: Ehmer (18), Gbode (20).
Referee: James Oldham
Attendance: 3284
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.