by Patrick
Gearey
Follow the Gills' crunch match against Rochdale tonight -
as they compete for the coveted Wembley place.
Gillingham are hoping a win tonight will result in a first
trip to the new Wembley on May 23.
So get set for the game of the decade - and follow our running
commentary from Priestfield:
Post match: We're on our way to Wembley is on the tannoy. Fans
are celebrating everywhere! A good night's work by the boys, don't
you think?
Last update: It's OVER!! All together now...we're going to
Wemb-er-lee! Fans are all over the pitch. It's Gills-Shrewsbury for
a place in league one.
Update: Mistake in defence by Richards gives a Dale chance. Shot
just wide.
Update: Last change - Mark McCammon on for goalscoring hero
Jackson.
Update: Dale corner. Keeper's up. Royce claims.
Update: Four minutes of stoppage time. Scramble in the Gills
box. Cleared.
Update: 88 mins. Cross loops into the Gills box. Dale
header..it's over the bar. Nail-biting.
Update: There will be a fair amount of stoppage time as there
have been a few injuries and substitutions.
Update: 84 mins. That play-off campaigner of old, Nicky
Southall, replaces Dennis Oli.
Update: 82 mins. Rochdale are pressing for the equaliser. It's
pretty nervy here. The minutes seem to be passing slower.
Update: Ten minutes left. There was late drama in the other
semi-final earlier. Will there be some here? Let's hope not!
Update: 79 mins. nervous moment for Royce in the Gills goal. He
juggles with a corner with Rochdale players waiting only to smother
it. Phew.
Update: 75 mins. Barcham flies into a tackle in defence.
He has been excellent today.
Update: 70 mins. Gills substitution. Mark Bentley replaces Josh
Wright.
Update: 66 mins. Barcham and Nutter combine again on the left.
This time Barcham's chipped cross is cleared for a corner. Gills
look dangerous marauding down that flank.
Update: 60mins and it could have been three! Simon King gets his
head to a free kick, which loops goalwards, but hits the bar. The
Priestfield senses blood and is rocking.
Update: Penalty incident - Barcham slips a lovely ball into
Nutter, who is fouled in the box by Mcardle. Penalty. Mcardle is
booked for the sliding challenge. Jackson coolly slots home the
penalty for his second of the game.
Update: GOAL! 2-1 - Simeon Jackson penalty.
Update: 49mins. Rochdale have started the second half the
brighter. They are probing the Gills' defence and the home side are
struggling to keep the ball for long periods.
Today's attendance is 9,585.
Update: The second half's under way here. The crowd are back in
good voice.
Update: Half time. One-one. Gillingham's fans and players were
stung by that equaliser and the half ended in a more subdued
atmosphere. Couldn't pick a winner.
Update: GOAL - and out of nowhere it's one all! Chris Dagnall
gets the ball in the box, cuts inside his man and fires home.
Update: Two chances for Andy Barcham. The first was a mazy
dribble before his shot was blocked. Then he couldn't direct a
header from a cross from the left.
Update: 30 mins. More possession for Rochdale, but solid Gills
defending keeps them at bay. Chants of 'England's number one' at
Simon Royce in the Gillingham goal.
Update: Midway through the first half, and it's been an
energetic Gills performance, capped by that all-important goal from
Jackson. So far so impressive.
Update: 12 mins. GOAL to Gillingham - Simeon Jackson tapping in
Barcham's cross.
Update: Eight mins. Rochdale's lee Thorpe heads
over bar after cross from left.
Update: Five mins - first Gills shot. Barry Fuller thumps a
long-range effort over the bar.
6.30pm. Kick-off. A massive roar goes up from a packed
Priestfield.
6.20pm. The away goals rule does not apply tonight. It it's
still level we'll have penalties. The winner of this match will
play Shrewsbury, who won on penalties themselves earlier today.
6.15pm Sunday evening is a strange kick-off time. it feels odd
to be listening to pre-match rock 'n roll at a time usually
reserved for The Antiques Roadshow.
6.10pm. The ground is filling up now. Stuart lewis is the KM
player of the month. He's getting some champers from our very own
Luke Cawdell.
6.05pm. The team: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, Lewis, King, Richards,
Jackson, Wright, Oli, Weston, Barcham.