Gillingham’s Home Park hoodoo struck again on the first Saturday of the New Year as a solitary strike from League One’s leading scorer condemned Steve Evans’ side to defeat.
Luke Jephcott’s first half goal, his 14th goal of the season (12th in League One) – was enough to gain the points for the Pilgrims as The Gills woeful record in Plymouth continued, it’s now just four wins in their last twenty visits!
On the plus side for the Gills boss, he was able to start with fit again Jordan Graham, one of three changes to the side beaten at Northampton with Declan Drysdale and Vadaine Oliver also returning to the starting eleven, with Jack Tucker, Alex MacDonald and John Akinde all dropping to the bench.
The Gills were again able to name only six substitutes with reserve keeper Joe Walsh still under COVID protocols! But despite a much improved second half showing, the visitors still slipped to defeat and faced the long trip home pointless.
And it was Oliver who had the Gills first chance as his 15th minute header – from Tom O’Connor’s deep cross, whistled fractionally too high. Connor Ogilvie then made a terrific clearance to deny Danny Mayor a golden opportunity just past the first half’s midway point.
Before the hosts opened the scoring on thirty-three minutes when an unmarked Jephcott converted Conor Grant’s far post cross giving Jack Bonham no chance, his fifth goal in five games around the turn of the year!
The goal was almost repeated early in the second half, but this time the Gills stopper stood up well to Plymouth’s leading scorer before the visitors came fractionally close to levelling as Ogilvie connected with a free kick, but sadly couldn’t hit the target and just moments later, Graham’s stunning centre fizzed across the face of the home goal.
O’Connor’s corner was then almost turned into his own net by Kell Watts, the defender flicking the ball inches past his own post, and the Gills got even closer when the returning Graham centred looking for Oliver only for his cross to crash against the Plymouth bar and be hacked behind.
The closest the Gills came to gaining what would have been seen as a worthy point came deep into stoppage time when the unfortunate Matty Willock just could get out of the way of O’Connor’s free kick and the ball ricocheted over the bar to the relief of the home side as Evans’ side slipped to defeat and 14th in the League One table.
A “road-trip” of three successive away trips come to an unsatisfactory end for Gillingham, but three points from those three fixtures where traditionally the men from Priestfield have struggled to get points, but whichever way supporters look at the recent results, the pressure must increase to get a result next time out when struggling Burton Albion, along with new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, come calling to Priestfield next Saturday…
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE – Cooper, Aimson, Canavan, Watts, Edwards, Grant (Opoku 70), Macleod (Fornah 37), Camara, Mayor, Hardie (Telford 77), Jephcott (Nouble 77).
Subs not used – McCormick, Wooton, Moore.
Goal: Jephcott (33).
Booked: Nouble (86).
GILLINGHAM – Bonham, Jackson, Drysdale, Ogilvie, O’Connor, Eccles (Akinde 52), Robertson (MacDonald 52), McKenzie (Willock 80), Dempsey, Graham, Oliver.
Subs not used – Maghoma, Tucker, Coyle.
Booked: Jackson (68), Drysdale (88).
REFEREE – Mr Allison
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC