By Kris Delo
If anything sums up this season, or the curse of being a Gills fan, it is two half hours in the space of four days.
Last Tuesday evening, our game was over after a swift hat-trick by Newport’s on-fire striker Bobby Kamwa.
He found the net after nine, 27 and 30 minutes, meaning the long trip to Wales was a miserable night for the 193 Gills fans who made their way to Rodney Parade.
Coming just 72 hours after caretaker manager John Coleman had finally masterminded his first victory over relegation-threatened Morecambe, fans had hoped for a renewed confidence from the squad. Instead, it was another masterclass in how not to defend, as schoolboy errors let the Amber Army breeze past our backlines as if they were butter.
It was embarrassing to watch and baffling after we had shown renewed confidence and determination days earlier.
Just as confusing were Coleman’s tactics, opting not to make a single substitution on the night. He said the part-3G pitch was very, very firm so he didn’t want to put new legs on it as it would take 10 minutes for the substitutes to acclimatise to the surface.
As excuses go, it took the biscuit and left us baffled as to his tactics. Not even a consolation goal from Jimmy Jay Morgan was enough to soothe our puzzled brows …and pity the fans as their miserable night continued with not one but two detours on the M4.
Coaches had to navigate narrow country lanes and had no time to get used to the smaller roads, the drivers just had to get on with it.
There was talk during the week that John Coleman was going to accept the manager’s job at Tranmere, something he has since ruled out.
It remains to be seen, but three managers in a season, even a season like this, would be quite the look and suggests our sleeping giant is on life support rather than having a gentle nap.
With all this in mind, expectations were low on Saturday as in-form Bradford were in town, and all over the Brian Moore Stand. Ahead of 3pm, they knew that Walsall’s defeat meant if they beat us, they would go top of the league.
I don’t think there were many fans who would have expected the result to be anything other than another drubbing for the Gills, and another 90 minutes closer to having this miserable season over and done with.
But typically true to form, the players had other ideas and we ended up not just nicking a win, but bossing the game and actually being more like the Gills that we know and love – and have seen so little of this time round.
Was it the return of Conor Masterson? Was it the team selection? Was it the noise from the Rainham End? Was it the sunshine? Who knows, but those three points were precious and, with other results going in our favour for once, fans had something to savour at long last.
Conor’s goal came in the 56th minute as he blasted a Max Clark cross through George Lapslie’s legs and straight into the net, sending the crowds wild. It left us with just over 30 minutes, plus stoppage time, to hang on to our lead.
To the man, the team stepped up and gave it their all ensuring that unlike that crazy opening half-hour at Newport, Priestfield had something to celebrate on Saturday.
Now, we are looking at the team to repeat that form at Accrington. We may be 12 points clear of the trapdoor, but until we are mathematically safe we can’t start planning for next season, so Coleman’s third win will be just as important as Saturday’s gutting of the Chickens.
It’s never dull being a Gills fan, but it does mean there is plenty for us to talk about on our The View From The Medway Fancasts!
Kris Delo runs the ‘View from the Medway’ Facebook group and podcast, and is also on the GFCSC committee. Join View from the Medway every Monday live at 8pm on X (Twitter) @TVFTM. Youtube The View From the Medway Fancast and visit their Facebook group The View From The Medway.
