Odd Down 2 v 1 Gillingham Town – Sat 27/09/14
The Gills welcomed back Will Agbo for this game as he completed his move from Dorchester Town. Absent though were recent signing Dariush Noonan and leading scorer Benjani Ben Salem. As a result Nick Thomson started at left back with Dan Cox taking his place at right back. This left a space in midfield for Tom Pawley and Steve Smith was on the bench.
The Gills started the game well and were playing with high energy, quickly closing down the Odd Down players. As a result they looked the better team in the opening stages and a series of free kicks were put into the area, Nick Hewlett going close with a header and Will Agbo seeing his effort fly over the bar.
The Gills continued with the pressure and some neat passing play around the edge of the area set up a good chance for Kieran Davis but he also saw his shot clear the crossbar.
Odd Down got a half chance after about quarter of an hour but they were also having difficulty hitting the target and the shot from inside the area went a couple of feet wide of goal. Moments later it looked like the Gills were going to take the lead when, following a corner, Kieran Davis put a great ball into a crowded area but the ball sailed all the way through to Odd Down keeper Alex Nash when any kind of contact would have produced a goal.
With 24 minutes played Odd Down striker Troy Simpson had a strike at goal but he got his volley all wrong. The Gills were certainly looking the better team though and with 32 minutes played, they took a deserved lead when a shot from distance by Ashley Clarke cannoned down off the cross bar only for Nick Hewlett to head home the rebound. The Gills had a great chance to double their lead just 3 minutes later when a precise pass put Ryan Gay through on goal. Ryan tried to chip the advancing Nash but it was a weak effort that went straight into the keepers’ arms.
The Gills continued to dominate but Odd Down nearly drew level in the closing stages of the half but Troy Simpson was again off target this time putting his shot over the bar.
So the first half ended with the Gills leading 1-0 and looking good to extend their lead.
Odd Down had other ideas though and right from the off the second half was a different matter with them having the lion’s share of possession and the Gills having some resolute defending to do. Within minutes of the restart Odd Down went close when a stunning volley had Gills’ keeper Scott Armstrong beaten but flew just wide of the post before Troy Simpson wasted another good chance when unable to hit the target.
The Gills had a rare chance on the hour mark when Nick Hewlett met a corner but he couldn’t get any direction on his header. After this the domination by Odd Down continued and the pressure finally told in the 70thminute when Troy Simpson finally got a shot on target and the ball went just inside the post past the outstretched arm of Scott Armstrong to make it 1-1.
The goal gave Odd Down all the encouragement they needed to try and win the game and, with the Gills on the ropes, Scott Armstrong had to pull off a string of great saves and Nick Thomson headed off the line. The Gills were hanging on though with some really heroic defending but, with just 6 minutes left to go, Odd Down scored the winner. A corner was played to the back post where Odd Down Captain Lee Bridson powered home a header giving Scott Armstrong no chance.
After this Odd Down were happy to play out the last few minutes and ran out winners taking all of the valuable three points.
Man of the Match was Ashley Clarke
Next up for the Gills are fellow strugglers Hallen at home next Saturday (4thOct)
Gills’ line up: Armstrong, Cox, Thomson, Compton, Barber, Hewlett, Pawley, Clarke, Gay, Agbo (Smith 75), Davis (Pike 65),
Terry Lucas
