[ 20 Dec 24 ] GILLS v Cheltenham Town Match Thread

[Garawa]

- The Gills are playing a second consecutive League 2 game against a side managed by a former Gills player. They last met Cheltenham in the 2021/2 season when they played 5 matches, winning 0 and losing 2. The Gills are winless in 7 meetings.
- There have been 8 draws between the Gills and Cheltenham and the Gills have won 5 to Town's 4. Cheltenham won home and away in 5 league and cup meetings in 2021/2 and the Gills last win came back in March 2012 with the last home win against them that same season.
- Cheltenham started the season with 8 defeats from their opening 13 league and cup games making it 39 losses out of their last 64 games. They have only lost 2 of their most recent 14 since, winning 8 of them.
- Cheltenham are unbeaten in 4 games both in the league and also in all competitions in which they have won the last 2, likewise with the Gills. It is 1 defeat in 8 league games after 7 in the first 11 and it is 1 defeat in 4 of the road after 4 from their first 5.
- Cheltenham have only managed 1 clean sheet on the road but they are also the only side to have scored in all away games. Home and away, their 2 blank sheets is the fewest in League 2.
- In Cheltenham's 9 away league games, they have seen 29 goals (13 scored and 16 conceded). The Gills have only seen 7 more goals scored and conceded in their 19 home and away league games this season.
- Cheltenham's 159 minutes in the lead at home in League 2, an average of just 19.9 minutes per lead, is the lowest and worst total in the division. However, their 119 minutes behind in away games, an average of 17.0 per lead, is also the lowest and best. Their last 5 away games saw them go behind twice for a total of just 8 minutes.

[Fri 20th Dec 2024] EFL Sky Bet League 2: Gillingham FC v Cheltenham Town
Opposition Manager: Michael Flynn. Matchday Team: Joe Day, Arkell Jude-Boyd (Liam Dulson), Liam Kinsella, Tom Bradbury, [c] Luke Young, George Miller (Matty Taylor), Jordan Thomas (Lewis Payne), Joel Colwill, Ibrahim Bakare, Ethon Archer, Sam Stubbs
Opposition League Position: Sky Bet League 2 (13th)
Referee: Carl Brook
Attendance: 5,938 (113)

(19:45) Kick Off [ 4 - 2 - 3 - 1]
(20.03) The Gills have been the more dangerous side and looking very up for it without testing the 'keeper until Hutton's great cross finds the head of Nevitt which beats the keeper but sees it hacked clear. From the corner, McKenzie heads just wide.
(20.09) GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Cheltenham Town: J Clarke
(20.14) Cheltenham break forward quickly and Colwill has a shot which trickles across the face of the goal and wide.
(20.20) GOAL! Gillingham 1-1 Cheltenham Town: Young
(20.30) The referee adds on one additional minute.
(20.31) Half time 1-1

(20.47) The second half kicks off.
(20.54) Rowe does really well to trick his way to the penalty area. He picks out McKenzie who fires a shot narrowly wide of the Rainham end goal.
(21.02) GOAL! Gillingham 1-2 Cheltenham Town: Miller
(21.10) GOAL! Gillingham 2-2 Cheltenham Town: Lapslie
(21.32) There will be six minutes added to the end of the match.
(21.35) The goalkeeper attempts a save and as the defence try to clear, the ball falls to Dack who side foots it to the empty net with the 'keeper grounded and it hits the bar, the ball falling into the grateful arms of the 'keeper.
(21.38) FULL TIME 2-2

Gills' League Position After Game: 10th
Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdd6zm1r4qrt
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSRntXdEi3I