Whenever Gillingham meet Swindon Town there always seems to be fireworks on the pitch and the 2024/2025 version at MEMS Priestfield duly delivered as the season came to an explosive finale at home base.
After Joe Gbode hammered home for the second successive home game, former Gill Will Wright curled in a free kick stunner to level for the visitors before the game exploded in stoppage time when Jonny Williams saw red as he was shown a second yellow and in the commotion that followed, goalscorer Gbode was also dismissed for a second yellow.
Ethan Coleman was named as part of the matchday squad for the first time since Gareth Ainsworth took over as more than seven thousand locals packed into Priestfield for the season’s home finale and it was the home side who went close first as Elliott Nevitt crashed in a shot that keeper Connor Ripley grabbed at the second attempt.
Harry Smith tested Glenn Morris early on but the Gills keeper – who later in the day was deservedly named both Players’ Player and Player of the Year – held on safely. Morris was again called into action just before the half hour as he made a fine save, advancing to deny Gavin Kilkenny.
Nevitt saw an effort flash across the face of Ripley’s goal after good combination from Bradley Dack and Robbie McKenzie.
Gbode was introduced just after the break as Nevitt went down with an injury moments before Ripley pulled off a stunning save to keep out Shad Ogie’s pile driver – the Swindon keeper doing well to block the defender’s thunderous drive.
On the hour, the Gills were ahead as in a blink of an eye, Sam Gale’s clearance released Aaron Rowe, whose pace left the Swindon defence for dead, and his brilliant through ball was perfectly judged for the advancing Gbode who held off a defender before rolling the ball beyond Ripley to send the Rainham End wild in celebrations.
Sadly, ten minutes later, the visitors levelled with a stunning strike as Wright stepped up to send a free-kick into the top corner – a brilliant effort giving Morris no hope.
Stoppage time saw referee Hair to the fore as he decided “just” to show Jonny Williams a second yellow card for stopping a Swindon attack – the official could well have shown the Welshman a straight red – and in the fracas that followed, Gbode was also shown a second yellow for the first time in his career.
What is it about this fixture that never disappoints?
The nine men comfortably held on for the point that extends the manager’s unbeaten start and the Club’s unbeaten run to eleven since losing at Newport in early March as what will go down as one of the most up and down seasons in Priestfield’s history is consigned to the record books.
One game left then for the Gills as they travel to promoted Port Vale for the finale next weekend as the Staffordshire side go for the title needing a win to perhaps pip Doncaster Rovers for the League Two crown?
Perhaps an omen for Gareth Ainsworth and his players for twelve months’ time… we can but hope!
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Gale, Masterson, Ogie, Max Clark, McKenzie (Coleman 83), Jonny Williams, Dack (Corness 64), Rowe (Morgan 83), Nevitt (Gbode 50).
Subs not used – Holtam, Nolan, Jayden Clarke.
Goal: Gbode (61).
Booked: Gale (13), J Williams (67), Gbode (69).
Sent Off: J Williams (93), Gbode (94).
SWINDON TOWN – Ripley, Clarke, Wright, Kirkman (Butterworth 77), Cotterill (Ofoborh 80), Kilkenny, Tshimanga (Ameen 78), Freckleton, Glatzel, Nichols (Westley 77), Smith.
Subs not used – Bycroft, Sobowale, Delaney.
Goal: Wright (67).
Booked: Tshimanga (45), Glatzel (78), Freckleton (94).
REFEREE – Mr. Neil Hair
Attendance: 7667 (760 Swindon).