Andy Hessenthaler takes delight in Gillingham's win over Crawley Town but is angry with the challenge on Chris Whelpdale
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Andy Hessenthaler watches on from the
sidelines Picture: Barry
Goodwin
by Luke Cawdell
A delighted Andy Hessenthaler saluted the
Gillingham squad after their Boxing Day win at Crawley.
The Gills boss was forced into making four
changes for their trip to the League 2 leaders but came away
clutching three points.
“We are the delighted with the boys,” said the
Gills boss, who has overseen a run of nine games without a
defeat.
“We had to make four changes with Frank Nouble
going back (to West Ham), Charlie Lee was suspended, while we lost
skipper Andy Frampton and Lewis Montrose to injury. It shows what a
squad we have got.”
Crawley had a player sent off with 19 minutes
gone but took a first-half lead after Matt Tubbs converted from the
spot following a foul in the area by Matt Lawrence.
“It was a silly challenge from Matt and he has
held his hands up,” said Hessenthaler.
“He didn’t need to make the challenge but it
was a poor clearance from Kedwell and they got the penalty.
“It’s not easy to play against 10 men and you
have to give them a lot of credit for that. They took a few risks
and got the goal.
“We just had to use the extra man and we did
that very well when we came back out. We got the two goals and then
probably were just a little disappointed we didn’t go on from
there, but again to give them credit, they took a few risks and the
two boys upfront are a constant threat.
“Our two centre-halves have been in a proper
game and we defended very well.”
Luke Rooney was sent off late on for a second
foul in the space of 10 minutes.
Rooney was recalled, having been dropped after
refusing to sign an extension to his contract, due to a player
shortage.
“He hasn’t agreed a deal,” said the Gills
boss. “He has done very well but it’s unfortunate that he has
picked up two yellows through two challenges. I am not sure about
them, especially the second one. It looked as though their player
has gone over quite easily and the referee sent him off.”
Heated words were exchanged after the game
with Gills defender Garry Richards and Crawley manager Steve Evans
both yelling expletives.
Hessenthaler
backed his player but refused to dwell on the incident when
asked.
“I am not going to get involved,” he said. “I
am worried about my own team. My team have won the game and we will
enjoy the result and then prepare for Friday (against
Dagenham.”
One player who could be missing that game is
Chris Whelpdale (pictured right). He suffered an horrific injury in
the second half after a challenge by David Hunt.
“He is probably going to have about five
stitches in his testicle. He split them open believe it or not and
it was an absolutely disgusting in injury. It was a shocking
challenge.
“He carried on for a bit and then had a look
and probably he scared himself with the cut. We will keep our
fingers crossed that he will be available.”
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Monday, December 26 2011
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