Gillingham’s main attacking threat on Tuesday night was the long throw – something head coach Stephen Clemence admits he’s not used to.
Hurling the ball into the box at every opportunity isn’t a tactic for everyone but Clemence knows they need to utilise any trick in the book to win matches.
The long throws from Gillingham defender Shad Ogie in the second half unsettled the Stockport County defence and led to a couple of moments that almost led to a goal.
“The long throw is a bit of a weapon for us and we would be foolish not to use it,” Clemence said.
“We are going to try and make the most of it. It is not something I am used to working with in the past, I have to be honest, but I am trying to find ways to win football matches with the group of players we have at the football club and that is a weapon we have to keep on using.”
Ogie is the go-to player for the long throws and he joked after Tuesday night’s game that “my shoulder was in bits!”
He added: “With the log throws we had a couple of chances but it just fell in their favour, on another day who knows it could have dropped in our favour.
“We just load up the box and try and get first and second contacts and go from there.
“With the throw, we try and aim for the back post with a flick on from the front post and then be on your toes and gamble and see how it goes from there!”
It was a tactic where the Gills could have nicked a win on Tuesday against the leaders Stockport.
Ogie was pleased to keep another clean sheet, picking up the match sponsor’s player-of-the-match for his efforts.
A week ago he was taken off in agony after a goal-saving challenge against Swindon Town left him nursing the groin area – but he was back out for more last Saturday.
He said: “It was painful at the moment but I rested for a day or two, trained Friday and then I felt alright. People say I am a robot but I just thank the physio for looking after me and lots of Ibuprofen!”
