There were those who still questioned Gillingham’s 2023 revival as they hadn’t beaten a top half side in League Two. Well, they have now and how!
Top of the form table and in the final automatic promotion place, Carlisle United made the mammoth trip to Kent but left a well beaten side with their unbeaten record gone, their place atop of the form table gone and more importantly for a bewildered boss Paul Simpson, that last automatic promotion spot too.
Make no mistake but this was a well deserved three points for Neil Harris and his Gillingham side as they added more to the fortifications of Priestfield as Shaun Williams’ ninety fourth minute winner sealed the seventh home triumph in eight games since the turn of the year.
With former keeper Tomas Holy returning with the Cumbrians, the opening half was clearly between two of the form sides in the division – tight with few clear chances!
Holy denied Aiden O’Brien’s flick with his legs on the quarter hour before Alex MacDonald shot wide on the half hour. Carlisle? Hardly a showing in the opening half and surely they would improve after the break…
Oli Hawkins headed a MacDonald corner into the Rainham End and following that Tim Dieng tested Holy though could have done better much to his own frustration.
The visitors finally tested Glenn Morris with twelve minutes to go as substitute Kristian Dennis got into the Gills box only for his shot to be well saved by the Gills keeper.
As the game seemed destined for a goal-less draw – a point that most of the Priestfield faithful would have possibly taken at kick-off – and in the final minute of stoppage time, the roof was lifted off the Rainham End.
Dom Jefferies’ ball into the box might have been helped on by Tristram Abrahams, but whatever the case, it caused chaos in the visitors box and a combination of Holy and defender blocked the ball and as it fell to Williams – who had had a magnificent game in the middle of the park – hammered the loose ball home… cue mass celebrations and mass celebrations!
Incredibly Neil Harris’ side are now eighteen points off the foot of the table and are now twelve points in front of the trap door with eight games left.
The Great Escape is so close now, even if the Gills next game isn’t… next weekend they themselves head to Cumbria and a first trip to Barrow since April 1972!
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Alexander, Ehmer, Masterson, McKenzie, Williams, MacDonald (Lapslie 73), Dieng, O’Brien (Jefferies 73), Nichols (Abrahams 84), Hawkins (Wright 95).
Subs not used – Holtam, Tutonda, Coleman.
Goal: Williams (94).
Booked: MacDonald (45), Hawkins (75).
CARLISLE UNITED: Holy, Senior (Dennis 78), Barclay, Feeney, Mellish, Armer, Guy, Gordon (Edmondson 56), Moxon, Garner (Gibson 56), Patrick (Robinson 78).
Subs not used – Kelly, Gibson, Whelan, McCalmont.
Booked: Garner (45), Moxon (58), Barclay (87), Feeney (91), Dennis (92).
REFEREE – Mr Charles Breakspear
Attendance: 6,110
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.