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AWAY THE GAS
BY DARREN STOBBS
We were to travel to Gillingham on the back of some very good form, and my thinking was that two more victories would secure our League Two status.
We left The Mem at 8:15am and stopped at Cobham services for 45 minutes. We then arrived in Gillingham at 12:20pm.
Prior arrangements were to drop off at the ground. However our driver’s notes suggested the roads are very tight around The Priestfield Stadium and clubs like Sheffield United and Wigan had problems with getting their coaches stuck in the past!
Not taking any risks, we parked where we have done in all our previous visits, which is around a 10 minute walk to the stadium.
My research suggested that there were a number of pubs locally and we headed to The Cricketers on Toronto Road 10 minutes away (yes, we have one those near The Mem!).
On arrival it was for home fans only and despite trying to negotiate we had no luck. Apparently, since Millwall fans caused issues there, the venue has now become a home pub only. Knowing of another pub called The Fleur De Lys (the same name as a former pub in Pucklechurch), there was a theme starting to occur here. The local police also confirmed that some of our supporters were already there in attendance.
We then set off, certainly getting our steps in for the day.
10 minutes later and this pub was a familiarity. I can remember coming here previously, more than likely at our last meeting, seven years ago v The Gills (not including the covid restriction season).
Drinks were reasonably priced, but no real ales were on offer, instead Madri was a reasonable £4.10p a pint. It’s what you’d call a rough and ready pub, but with a friendly down to earth service. Locals, not necessarily going to the football, were served in glasses, but otherwise it was plastic cups.
We then made our way to the ground, and having approached the away end along one of the roads leading to the stadium, there was some confusion. Sally collects the required programmes and badges for Jamie at the Supporters Club cabin. We were told that we would need to walk back down the road and then around the other side of the stadium. Some other supporters thought we were denied entry at this end of the ground and had to go around as well! So the explanation was given, but with not everyone taking note!
Inside the away end, refreshments were available with the usual fayre, Pukka Pies were £4.50p and an ale was on offer – Spitfire, (which was by the same brewery used by The Bricklayers Arms in Bromley). Beer, Lager or cider was £5.50p a pint.
It’s a good job the weather was nice, with all the walking about and also the away refreshment area with no cover as well.
The steward explained that the open away end behind the goal, ‘in the sun’ or covered seats on the side ‘in the shade’ were available. I opted for the side stand, which offered a good view of the pitch.
In the meantime it was confirmed by the local police to our coach driver, that the coach could be brought nearer to the stadium on the main road, to help aid our less abled supporters.
The match was soon underway and it was certainly a game of two halves.
The first half both teams were cancelling each other out, but there was no urgency to our game. We gave away a penalty by Riley Harbottle, who clearly handballed. Although having been pushed in the back whilst in the air, the momentum put him in direct contact with the ball. The penalty kick was put away low into the left corner. It was no real concern for me, as it looked like a game that we could quite easily get back into.
We then had our one decent chance of the half by Ellis Harrison, with a header well saved by the Gillingham goalkeeper.
After four substitutions were made at half time there was a transformation in our performance. One minute into the second half, an angled cross into the box by Ryan De Havilland was headed high into the side of the net by Kilgour. We were playing with much more confidence and composure. We then took the lead with a ball through for Ellis Harrison, who then shot low, but his effort was saved. Then a second shot by Luke Thomas was also saved but the third attempt by Harrison was put into the corner. A header just past the post by The Gills was the closest they got.
Then Gillingham were reduced to 10 men in the 13th minute of added time with a second booking.
Alfie Kilgour was my man of the match, well deserved, his superb defensive duties plus with a goal to his name. Substitute Yusuf Akhamrich was brilliant off the bench and so was Thomas.
Attendance: 5,764 with 444 Rovers fans.
We left Gillingham at 5:20pm and stopped for 15 minutes at Reading services. Alfie Kilgour’s Dad travelled with us, as he has done in the past. We were waiting for one more to board the coach before leaving, which happened to be him. When he got on the coach, an almighty cheer went up!
We then got back to our first drop off off location, in Kingswood, for 8:55pm.
With us being 13 points clear of the relegation places and seven games to go, you would think it’s an almost certainly that we are safe. Harrogate would need to win five out of seven to even catch us and we still have to play the Yorkshire outfit. However, I do understand why Steve Evans has mentioned until we are mathematically safe, there will be no talk of safety yet. I guess after what happened last season, that makes sense. However, as the Gasheads know, this is a completely different Rovers side we are seeing at the back end of an emotionally and mentally draining season for all involved.
Onwards and Upwards. UTG.
