Bristol Rovers 2 Gillingham 1
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham were denied a rare point on the road after Bristol
Rovers netted a late penalty winner on Saturday.
Andy Barcham's superb equaliser just before half-time was the
bright spark of an otherwise uninspring afternoon at the Memorial
Stadium.
The Gills' winger netted on 40 minutes to cancel out Chris
Lines' opener but it wasn't enough.
Deep into the second half Rovers re-took the lead when Jeff
Hughes beat Simon Royce from the penalty spot. That goal proved to
be enough as Gillingham's away day blues continue.
Gills boss Mark Stimson said: “I think we
possibly deserved a draw. I don’t think there were many clear cut
chances and after conceding early on we did really well to get back
into the game.
“It was a fantastic goal from Andy Barcham and
I was pleased at half time because we were going with the wind in
the second half.
“I encouraged the boys to pass the ball a bit
more and have a few more touches but it didn’t quite work out.
“Unfortunately this weekend we had the penalty
go against us while last weekend we won a game with a penalty.
"We probably didn’t deserve a win but we could have got a
point."
Rovers had taken a 17th minute lead and it was former Gillingham
striker Chris Dickson who created the opportunity. His overhead
kick was parried by keeper Simon Royce and Stuart Campbell played
the ball back for Lines to drive home a shot.
There were few clear cut chances for either team in the opening
half, with the driving rain and swirling wind making conditions
difficult for both sets of players.
Up until Barcham's goal the Gills had created little with Chris
Palmer sending an early effort well wide.
The Gills' leveller came with five minutes of the first half
remaining. Barcham picked up the ball on the edge of the area and
spanked it into the top corner, giving keeper Mikkel Andersen no
chance.
It was Gillingham's first away goal from their last four
outings.
Rovers midfielder Lines had the first chance of the second half
but his powerful shot was blocked by Royce.
Manager Mark Stimson brought 11-goal leading scorer Simeon
Jackson on for the final 25 minutes. Jackson had been left on the
bench following his international exploits with Canada in the
week.
The hosts were having the better of the limited chances in the
second half and Darrly Duffy should have done better after being
played through by Jo Kuffour, but a bad touch allowed Royce time to
pounce.
With 10 minutes remaining Rovers went back in front, as Hughes
tucked away from the spot, after Matt Fry handballed while sliding
to clear the ball.
Jackson came close to pulling Gills back into the game in
stoppage time but his shot was blocked by defender Byron
Anthony.
Gills: Royce, Fuller, Gowling, Fry,
Lewis, Maher, Bentley, Palmer, Weston (Jackson 65mins), Barcham,
Brandy (McCammon 79mins). Subs not used: Julian, Nutter, Oli,
Rooney, Payne.
Rovers: Andersen, Baldwin, Anthony,
Coles, Hughes, Lines, Blizzard (Swallow 73mins), Campbell,
Williams, Dickson (Duffy 67mins), Kuffour (Wright 89mins). Subs not
used: Evans, Elliott, Reece, Clough.
Attendance: 6,210.
Saturday, November 21 2009