Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler believes his side deserved to beat League 1 Bournemouth in the FA Cup
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Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler and
captain Andy Frampton celebrate at ther final
whistle
Picture: Barry Goodwin
by Luke Cawdell
Andy Hessenthaler felt his side were worthy winners after
overcoming Bournemouth in the FA Cup at the second attempt on
Tuesday night.
Gillingham came from 3-1 down last Saturday to
earn a replay at Priestfield and they won another entertaining game
3-2 to book their place in round two.
“Over the 90 minutes we deserved to win the
game and I thought for the first half an hour we were terrific,”
said Gills boss Hessenthaler.
“We got the goal and the only criticism of the
boys was that we let them off the hook a little bit, perhaps we
should have gone on and got another goal. They came back into it
late on in the first half.
“We didn’t really get going in the second half
and we were forced to make a change as Chris Whelpdale was not
feeling particularly well. He was coming down with a chest
infection according to the doctor.”
Stefan Payne was brought on as the Gills
reverted to a 4-4-2 formation after leaving Danny Kedwell as the
sole striker in the first half.
“We had to re-jig it a bit,” said
Hessenthaler. “They got a goal back, where we should have done
better, but the left winger (Scott Malone) was a good player and
Charlie Lee played him pretty well.”
Lee was beaten for pace by Malone and his
cross was deflected into the Gills net.
“Unfortunately it went in off Frampton for an
own goal but we kept plugging away and I knew we had enough in the
team to still create chances,” said Hessenthaler.
“It just showed the character we have in the
team. It was a fantastic second goal. I know it was a tap in for
Garry at the back post but it was great play from Lee, very
positive. Then for the third goal it was a great finish from the
youngster Stefan Payne.”
Bournemouth scored a free-kick in the first
minute of stoppage-time to make for a nervy finish.
Hessenthaler added: “We couldn’t do too much
about their second goal, which was a fantastic strike although I
thought it was a foul on Stefan Payne leading up to it, but the
referee missed it.
“It was a great win for us and it keeps the
momentum going.”
Do you think the Gills can now go on
and beat Leyton Orient in round 2? Comment below.
Tuesday, November 22 2011
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