Home   Medway   Sport   Article

Gillingham v AFC Wimbledon (The Medway Priestfield Stadium, Saturday, 3pm)

Team news;

Mark Byrne has returned from injury for Gillingham to face Wimbledon.

The Gills are up against a Dons side who include four former players in their starting XI.

Gillingham's Mark Byrne Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham's Mark Byrne Picture: Ady Kerry

Deji Oshilaja, who captains the visitors, starts along with Andy Barcham, Scott Wagstaff and Joe Pigott.

Barry Fuller, who has captained both teams to play-off success at Wembley, plays right-back ahead of Luke O’Neill.

Billy Bingham, Regan Charles-Cook and Gabriel Zakuani are out injured while Josh Parker played for Antigua & Barbuda on Friday.

Gillingham: Holy, Fuller, Garmston, Lacey, Ehmer, Byrne, Rees, Reilly, Wilkinson, Hanlan, Eaves. Subs: Hadler, O’Neill, List, Nasseri, Oldaker, Mbo, Ogilvie.

Wimbledon: King, Watson, Purrington, Oshilaja, Wagstaff, Trotter, Barcham, Hanson, Soares, McDonald, Pigott. Subs: McDonnell, Nightingale, Appiah, Jervis, Pinnock, Sibbick, Wordsworth.

Preview;

Gillingham will be facing some familiar faces as they look to get a much-needed win on the board this Saturday.

Positive performances have failed to yield points of late, picking up just one from their last four League 1 outings.

Gillingham manager Steve Lovell Picture: Ady Kerry
Gillingham manager Steve Lovell Picture: Ady Kerry

Weekend opponents Wimbledon, without a win themselves since the opening day, are likely to have Scott Wagstaff, Andy Barcham and Deji Oshilaja in their squad for the clash at Priestfield.

Wagstaff was the latest to depart ME7, leaving in the summer after boss Steve Lovell opted against offering the midfielder a new deal.

Former Dons captain Barry Fuller could be lining up for the Gills, but another ex Wimbledon player Dean Parrett is unlikely to be fit in time to play.

Barry Fuller started last weekend's game at Barnsley and could retain his place this weekend Picture: Ady Kerry
Barry Fuller started last weekend's game at Barnsley and could retain his place this weekend Picture: Ady Kerry

Head to head;

Gillingham wins: 6 Draws: 4 Wimbledon wins: 4

League form;

Gillingham (LDLLWW): Barnsley (a) 1-2, Coventry (h) 1-1, Sunderland (h) 1-4, Walsall (a) 1-2, Burton (h) 3-1, Accrington (a) 2-0.

Wimbledon (LLLDDW): Burton (a) 0-3, Sunderland (h) 1-2, Walsall (h) 1-3, Barnsley (a) 0-0, Coventry (h) 0-0, Fleetwood (a) 1-0.

Last meeting at Priestfield;

Gillingham 2 Wimbledon 2

Gillingham forward Tom Eaves rues a missed chance to win the game against Wimbledon last year Picture: Andy Jones
Gillingham forward Tom Eaves rues a missed chance to win the game against Wimbledon last year Picture: Andy Jones

Gillingham twice took the lead against Wimbledon when they met in December 2017, but the game ended all-square.

The Gills took a 62 minute lead when Sean Clare’s free-kick was headed in by Wimbledon player George Francomb.

It was all square as Lyle Taylor scored from the penalty spot after Luke O’Neill was harshly adjudged to have fouled former Gills favourite Cody McDonald in the box.

Max Ehmer put the Gills back infront, from a Clare corner, but it ended 2-2 after Deji Oshilaja found Harry Forrester in the box from a corner and the sub blasted home past Tomas Holy.

Last league game;

Barnsley 2 Gillingham 1

Goalkeeper Tomas Holy came in for criticism after the defeat at Barnsley Picture: Ady Kerry
Goalkeeper Tomas Holy came in for criticism after the defeat at Barnsley Picture: Ady Kerry

Gillingham’s long wait for success at Barnsley continues following Saturday’s defeat.

Kieffer Moore struck twice during a tough opening half for the Gills at Oakwell.

Josh Parker pulled a goal back for the visitors, who were looking for their first win at Barnsley in 50 years, but there was to be no comeback despite a number of late opportunities.

Reaction: Manager Steve Lovell admitted he had a half-time rant at Barnsley

Click here for picture action from photographer Ady Kerry

Team news;

Gabriel Zakuani goes off with a shoulder injury at Barnsley Picture: Ady Kerry
Gabriel Zakuani goes off with a shoulder injury at Barnsley Picture: Ady Kerry

Mark Byrne is pushing for a return after missing last weekend’s trip to Barnsley.

He limped off against Coventry City with a hamstring injury but has made a quick recovery.

Fellow midfielder Dean Parrett is unlikely to be fit, however, with a return next week pencilled in.

Gabriel Zakuani is set to miss out with a shoulder injury, after landing awkwardly against Barnsley last Saturday. Striker Josh Parker misses the match as he is on international duty with Antigua & Barbuda.

Tweet:

There were 10 changes in the week for Gills’ Checkatrade Trophy game at Portsmouth. It’s likely to be all-change again at the weekend as Steve Lovell brings back his senior players.

Read the report from Fratton Park as the Gills are beaten 4-0.

Reaction here from Gills boss Steve Lovell following the away drubbing

From the opposition camp;

Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley Picture: Andy Jones
Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley Picture: Andy Jones

Dons boss Neal Ardley has been impressed with his summer signings this season, including former Gills man Scott Wagstaff.

The Dons are struggling for results in the league but drew 2-2 with Charlton in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday, winning an extra point from the subsequent penalty shootout.

Wagstaff impressed in that game, against another of his former teams, Charlton.

Ardley said: "Wimbledon fans like people who work really hard for their team and the shirt. I think the fans have taken to quite a few of the new signings.

Scott Wagstaff has impressed during his time at Wimbledon
Scott Wagstaff has impressed during his time at Wimbledon

“They are young and they still need to develop a lot of their games. Scott is not one of those as he is more experienced and I know what I'm going to get from him. He is a very good player, very hard-working, and his stats are phenomenal in games.

“I thought he was excellent the other night. That's good and the same with Mitch Pinnock etc. We are really happy with how the boys are performing, but we just have to try and turn some of the performances into points."

Former Gills defender Deji Oshilaja is captaining Wimbledon this season and has impressed during his time at the Dons, attracting attention from Ipswich Town.

Former Gills defender Deji Oshilaja is captaining Wimbledon this season
Former Gills defender Deji Oshilaja is captaining Wimbledon this season

More on the Gills;

Gills boss: It’s time to deliver

Barry Fuller set to face his former club

Gills boss looks forward to meeting Scott Wagstaff again

Spurs man happy to be back

One to watch - Joe Pigott

Joe Pigott enjoyed his time at Maidstone United Picture: Steve Terrell
Joe Pigott enjoyed his time at Maidstone United Picture: Steve Terrell

Another player with Gills connections, the striker had a loan spell with the Gills in 2014.

He scored for in a 2-1 win at Carlisle, his only goal in six games for the club.

From Charlton, he eventually moved on to Cambridge, after a number of other loan spells, then enjoyed a spell with Maidstone United before moving onto AFC Wimbledon in January.

He has enjoyed a good start to the 2018/19 campaign, scoring four goals in his eight appearances.

Form isn’t great at Wimbledon but Pigott said: “We’ve got enough confidence to turn our league form around,” said Pigott. “We’ve certainly improved as a squad and now it’s just about getting the results.”

Fancy a punt?

Wimbledon midfielder Andy Barcham, formerly of Gillingham Picture: Andy Jones
Wimbledon midfielder Andy Barcham, formerly of Gillingham Picture: Andy Jones

The Gills are 19/10 for a home win with BoyleSports and it’s 7/5 for an away win as two of the division’s out of form side’s meet at Priestfield. The draw is priced at 11/5.

Andy Barcham is 7/2 to score against his former club for Wimbledon while you can get 25/1 for Barry Fuller to net against the Dons.

Gillingham were thumped 4-0 in midweek and it’s 66/1 for them to inflict the same scoreline on the Dons this Saturday.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More