Bridport 2 v 3 Gillingham Town 28/12/13
This was the Gills’ first game since the departure of Manager Adrian Foster to Frome Town, so it was important for the players’ self-belief that they got a win. There was also the added problem of several players being absent for various reasons, arguably the most important being Jon Vance who has followed the Manager to Frome Town. The others missing were Phil Ormrod, Aidan Chainey, Will Agbo, Dan Cox and Malick Jammeh. This was also the last game for Gills’ Captain Jack Vallis as he is also moving to Frome Town
When the game got underway the Gills looked nervous and were struggling to get into their game. Also, Bridport looked as if they were really up for it and were working really hard at closing the ball down and as a result were looking the better team. Their first chance came as early as the 2ndminute when a corner was headed just over the bar and then 4 minutes later another corner forced a save from Gills’ keeper Jamie Beale.
The pressure from Bridport continued with a shot from outside the area, which was struck well and on target, but Jamie Beale’s positioning meant he had a relatively easy save.
The Gills’ first chance didn’t come till just before the quarter hour mark and this was a Ryan Murray cross which was headed towards goal by Steve Smith but the effort went just wide of goal. This was a momentary respite though and a few minutes later Bridport striker Ryan Dovell had a shot from inside the area which drew a good save from Jamie Beale.
The pressure from Bridport continued but on 22 minutes the Gills broke quickly out of defence and the move resulted with Harry Baker receiving the ball just outside the area but his shot at goal lacked pace and was easily collected by the debutant Bridpport keeper Billy Fleet.
Following this Bridport once again took control of the game and the pressure finally told in the 25thminute when they opened the scoring. A corner was put to the back post where it was headed back across the face of goal and Max Buckler was on hand to put the ball into the back of the net.
This goal seemed to be the kick that the Gills’ players needed and they responded in the best possible fashion when they scored an equaliser just 3 minutes later. Some good build up play led to Harry Baker feeding the ball to an unmarked Danny Thompson at the back of the area and he blasted the ball past Fleet to score his first goal of the season and the Gills’ equaliser.
Finally the Gills started to get into the game and the rest of the half was a much more even affair with the two teams cancelling each other out. However, Bridport went close just before the break when a Dan Wise shot was superbly saved by the fingertips of Jamie Beale.
So at half time the score was level at 1-1 but Bridport were probably thinking they were unlucky not to be going into the break with a lead.
The Gills looked a different team when the second half got underway and they took the lead on the 51 minute mark with a bizarre goal. A free kick was put into the crowded area and a shot was handled on the line by a Bridport defender, but the ball then fell to Ben Thomson who smashed the ball into the back of the net. There seemed to be some confusion as to the Referee’s decision and he ended up giving the goal but not sending off the defender.
The Gills really started to dominate now and the Bridport players were tiring after their first half efforts. Ben Thomson had a close range shot blocked by a defender who threw himself in front of the effort and a few moments later the Gills were unlucky not to score another when they had three close range shots on target blocked by defenders.
The pressure continued and on 67 minutes Steve Smith headed a free kick at goal but Fleet pulled off a great save low down by the post. Then Ben Thomson had another effort blocked before Nick Compton put a shot from just outside the six yard box over the bar. Bridport certainly weren’t giving up though and on 73 minutes Jamie Beale had to make another great fingertip save to keep their lead intact. The action swung the other way 4 minutes later when Jack Vallis had a header cleared off the line
The Gills got a third goal in the 3rdminute of additional time when a long ball was collected by Steve Smith, who then blasted a shot at goal from about 25 yards out and the ball flashed past Fleet giving him no chance.
Bridport still weren’t done though and straight from the kick off they scored their second goal when Tom Richardson made the most of poor defending, but this proved to be the last piece of action so the Gills came away 2-3 winners.
Man of the Match was Ashley Clarke.
The next game for the Gills is next Saturday when they travel to Hallen.
Gills line-up: Beale, Murray, N Thomson, Vallis, Clarke, Compton, H Baker, Rodriguez (Smeeton 83), Smith, B Thomson (Sansom 75), Thompson. Unused sub: J Baker,
Terry Lucas
