Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler was delighted with his team's character after 3-3 draw at AFC Bournemouth in FA Cup
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Danny Kedwell fires in the equaliser
for Gillingham against Bournemouth on Saturday and, below,
celebrates with boss Andy Hessenthaler at the final
whistle Pictures:
Ady Kerry
by Luke Cawdell
Andy Hessenthaler praised the character in his Gillingham side
after they came from behind to earn a replay.
Gillingham’s FA Cup journey looked over at the
first hurdle after trailing 3-1 with an hour gone at Bournemouth
but Hessenthaler’s side bounced back to take the tie back to
Priestfield.
“We showed fantastic character,” said the
Gills boss. “We were 3-1 down but it only needed a goal because
it’s the FA Cup and anything can happen.
“It was another crazy game after last week’s
4-3 win and it shows we have good characters in the dressing
room.
“We just need to show a bit more belief and
sometimes we lacked that. We kept plugging away and fortunately we
got the second goal after a mistake from their keeper.”
After Danny
Jackman had pulled it back to 3-2 the 376 travelling fans were sent
into delirium as Danny Kedwell slotted in to make it 3-3 in the
90th minute.
It could have been so different though had
Bournemouth finished the Gills off after going 3-1 up and looking
in charge.
Bournemouth’s second goal came from
a free-kick that the Gills boss thought should never have been
given. Keeper Paulo Gazzaniga dropped the resulting cross and
Bournemouth scored. A third goal followed a minute later as the
Gills looked in deep trouble.
“It was never a foul against Matt Lawrence and
the decision summed the referee’s afternoon up,” said Hessenthaler.
“Unfortunately for young Paulo as he dropped it, their player
capitalised on it.
“For the third goal there was a bit of naivety
and we’ve made a couple of poor decisions defensively. There are
lessons to be learned there.”
The fightback means the Gills are now in
Sunday’s hat for the second round draw. The replay at Priestfield
is a week on Tuesday – providing they don’t get chosen for
television coverage.
Do you agree with Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler? Have
your say in our comments section below.
Saturday, November 12 2011
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