Gillingham 1-4 BFC, Saturday 9th February 2019

‘Ah’m a northerner, ah’ve spit roasted animals’

A couple of randoms (true) pose in front of the legendary Gills' away end.

I love going to Gillingham.  No, really.  Far enough out of London that it’s a bit of a trip, close enough that I can be home for 7…or close enough that I can say I’ll be home for 7 and scrape in for midnite.  That micropub was a cracker, though I don’t remember balancing an apple on my head (just seen a pic earlier).  How drunk was I?  And why not?  We’d just crushed the Gills with the minimum of effort, winning for all but the first 15 seconds of the game.  Wow!

Easy!  Easy!  Players and fans rush to mob Cauley.

If I said we’d already missed a chance before we scored, it shows our early (very early) domination.  McGeehan coulda scored and Kiefer bagged the rebound.  We were even in the ‘stadium’ to see it, though it was at the far end.  Mowatt then cannons one of the bar from what looks like 3 yards, but could be 15 for all we know.  Every time we get the ball we look like we can cut Gillingham to bits, though they hit us on the break and Davies makes a decent stop.  Then, with half time looming, the Wing Wonder Mamadou crosses superbly to the back post and Cauley loops a header over the keeper and it drops agonisingly (for them) into the far corner.  F***ing yes!

The end we were scoring in, 1st half.

Unlike previous trips to the Priestfield ‘Stadium’ in February, the weather has been kind to us (apart from a small shower in the 2^nd half).  The sun is out, we are swanning around, fans are chanting something about Brazil and all is right in the world.  And it gets better, as Cauley crashes one in at the back post.  Was it off a corner?  Open play?  I don’t remember.  But his technique is second to none.  So he gets taken off.  (Does Stendel have something against goalscorers?  He took Thiam off last game having bagged…)  Shame for Woodrow, who was sniffing the hattrick.

Welcome to ....

We look so comfortable…we let them score, and still bag another.  Dunno what quite happened for theirs, looked like it pinged around our box while everyone stood and stared.  For us, Brown (whothehell is Potts?) bags another, banging one in off the underneath of the bar.  Who doesn’t love those goals?  But inbetween we have real concern as Kiefer is carried off late on, after 10 minutes of medical help.  What’s that going over the hill?  Our promotion chances, probably.  Here’s hoping it’s ‘only’ concussion and he’ll be back in a week.  Out for the season and we’re relying on Cauley to complete his first 8 months of action since…well, since he was 12, probably.

Concern, as star striker Kiefer is laid out.

Still, the players get a great reception from the fans.  We have put another side to the sword, scored 4 (again) and still look the best team in the division (‘IMHO’).  Fingers crossed for Kiefer!!!!!!!

In a word: blistering

Onwards and upwards!

*** Cauley Woodrow.  He’s playing in the wrong division.

** Brown.  Quick, skilful, scores goals, can find others with a pass.  I’m struggling to find fault with our former reserve right back / centre forward.

* Mowatt.  Makes things look easy.  Cos they are, if you’ve got talent.

Londontykes' MOTM: 1= Brown / Mowatt / Woodrow

Full-time.  Goodbye Gillingham away end.

Despatches:

Everyone had a decent game individually.  And good to see Mr Pinnock (senior) as left.  He was in good spirits too.

Drink du jour: Well….cherry cider, strawberry cider…pale ale.  Owt but cooking lager (which is why we never saw Pompey and Tim in the pub, they’d gone to sniff out Fosters).  Could we stay down, just to go to that pub again?

Away: c.800.  But where were the home fans?  Struggling to make the 4000 barrier, very poor.

The Damage:
£18.90 train
£20 ent
= £38.90

Prog?  Yeah, if you see one.  How can we walk straight from town centre to away end and not a programme seller in sight?

The Tunes:
Let England Shake (PJ Harvey)
Stay Gold (First Aid Kit)
Summer Special (Euros Childs)
Vulnicura (Bjork)

Gillingham v Barnsley panorama

Turn left outside the station and keep walking...

Some dodgy characters getting frisked.

Our pleasure!

The most permanent temporary stand I know.

The teams ready themselves for kick-off.

The old folks are given some cover.

The old Main Stand.

Match action.

Either a very very good idea.  Or not.

The Barnsley hordes.

The KM Medway Stand.

The players await a corner.

Home, and the bright lights of Peckham.

BFC 2-1 Gillingham, Saturday 1st September 2018

(Apologies, I'm out of practice, so the words have hardly flowed today.  Maybe it's that vodka...)

Town centre improvements continue apace.

‘Good to be back (good to be back)’

Why do we never hear that song anymore?  Anyway, after 5 weeks away with the Vietcong and the Khmer Rouge, it was OPENING DAY OF THE SEASON time.  Well, it was for Jonesy and I, who were all excited to be back from our hols to see the legends in action, in actual winning football.  We’d heard the hype; Mowatt was back from the dead and running midfield.  Dougall was winning everything, allowing others to play.  We were creating chances, we were scoring goals, we were winning matches.  Everyone agreed – winning 3^rd division games was far preferable to losing every week in the 2^nd.  

The pre-match climb to Oakwell.

We Megabused it up, 8am from Victoria.  Lords Selwood, Slacki and Reed would not be having any of this, but the edge was taken off by some fine Corsican wheat beer.  (Jonesy: you may bring me more of that.)  We were in ‘tarn’ by 10 past 12, early enough for a nose around the new ‘Glassworks’ market in the town centre.  Smart enough, but not exactly a roaring success, more empty stalls than full.  Then to the Old Number 7 (I’ve missed you.)

Queing at the Ponty.

It was a fine day too, the sun shining…and Gillingham were finding us too hot to handle.  I’m not sure they even left their half, such was our superiority.  And despite men behind the ball, we took an early lead, as Moore hit one early from 20 yards, surprising the keeper and finding the near post.  Good strike, but I’d be livid if Davies let one in like that.  Around the half hour mark, we doubled the lead, as we were awarded our first penalty at Oakwell in 22 months.  (Two different people told me this, so it must be true.)  It was a soft one too, as the Reds take a short corner, Penniless cuts inside and stumbles.  Maybe he got a clip, maybe he didn’t.  Moore drives the ball straight down the middle as the keeper dives right.  This is too easy.

The keeper dives out of the way of Moore's pen.

Two-nil flattered Gillingham at half-time.  We were so much on top it was unfunny.  Moore could have had 3 or 4, while Penniless had a 25 yard piledriver tipped over.  Still, we had our warning, as Gills had a goal disallowed in the last minute, a cross shot from the left being bundled home.  Just as I’d been complimenting Pinnock’s ability not to dive in and give a foul away (as Lindsay had done a minute or 2 before), he stood off and allowed the left winger space to put the ball in.  We got away with that one.

A busy Ponty End.

Second half, and all that could stop us was complacency.  Moore was still being a pain in the proverbial and coulda…shoulda…scored at least 2 in goalmouth scrambles (not connecting properly), while the keeper saved a spectacular snapshot from a narrow angle.  Long shots from other players (Mowatt, Moncur) were finding the stands.  Still, it was too easy.  Which was why we couldn’t be ar5ed to mark a bloke on the front post off a corner.  I think Davies saved the flick on, but the ball fell kindly and somehow, somehow, Gillingham were back in the game.  (With regards to defending corners, would we do any worse if we replaced Davies with someone who has no arms?  Does he ever come out and catch a ball?)

Gills' 259.  Thanks for coming.

Anyway, it was obviously all Potts’ fault, cos he was instantly dragged off for Adeboyejo.  For a few minutes, our composure fell apart, as players now found the opposition or the sidelines with simple passes (Lindsay, for one).  Good job Gillingham were/are s***.  They even had a chance to equalise, but a shot from 10 yards was hit wide.  A draw would’ve been a travesty, yet at the same time our own fault.  Still, nice to moan about a victory.

*** Moore.  (Literally) head and shoulders above anything else on the park.  Twitter MOTM.  Could’ve scored half a dozen, but a couple of saves and one cleared off the line suggest he wasn’t doing too much wrong. 

** Potts.  Sprayed the ball about, drove on, shrugged off lesser mortals.  I couldn’t see why he was subbed.

* Penniless.  While he had a couple of big moments in the 1^st half, he was superb the 2^nd, getting forward, whipping in crosses and defensively sound.  Is this the player Forest fans were raving about?  (Another one back from the dead.)

Londontykes' MOTM:  1. Moore  2. Pinillos  3. Pinnock

Welcome to ...

Despatches:

It was a difficult day to judge the new superstar Dougall, as Gillingham offered nothing.  But he made one great track back that I noticed.  As for midfield buddies Mowatt and Moncur…well, while they interlinked quite well at times, their main contribution appeared to be an ability to hit the ball over the bar with BOTH feet.  Real talent, that. Thiam was quiet.  Looked fast enough to beat his player, powerful enough, skilful enough…but looks like his brain doesn’t function quick enough to put these attributes to use.  Pinnock looked classy (no change there) but I do have one (mild) criticism which Stendal could put right: Gills, 2 down, were still retreating into their own half.  Our defenders (Lindsay) don’t have to listen to idiot fans wanting the ball played forward quickly and therefore hoof it.  Let Gills come onto US.  They’re losing, the onus is on THEM to come out.  As it was, we simply gave them the ball too easily at times in the 2^nd half.  (Actually, Gills knew what they were doing; at one point 3 of them pressed on the halfway line and 2 quick short passes later, they had 5 men the wrong side of the ball.  They came to frustrate us, but the early goal meant they couldn’t even do that.)

Well done Reds – but there’ll be better teams than Gillingham coming to Oakwell this season.

Oh, and how can I tell it’s my opening game of the season?  That’s right, no home or away shirts available in my size.  The more things change…

Drink du jour: Corsican wheat beer, Erdinger (on tap!), Vodka and orange.  Jonesy and I polished off a whole bottle of vodka, and my head feels it today.  Journey back (train!) joined by Nice Guy Chris and The Captain (fresh from ticking off Blundell Park in his quest for the 92).

Onwards and upwards!

Away: 259. Looked more like 150.

The Damage:
£12.50 bus
£20 train
£3 prog
= £35.50

The Tunes:
Let England Shake (PJ Harvey)
Dos Dedos Mis Amigos (The Pop Will Eat Itself)

Panorama from the Ponty (cheers, Jonesy!)

Ballet in the Gills' box.

Home time.

The old Main Stand.

Looking towards the away end.

Mmmmmm....pork pies on Barnsley market.

BFC 2-0 Gillingham, Saturday 26th September 2015

‘Can I have the veggie breakfast, with a side order of bacon?’

One unemployed keeper

Brought some pals from that there London for the Gills match.  How much do you reckon it is for an East Upper ticket on the day? That’s right, 27 quid.  And you wonder why our on the day walk-in gate is pitiful.  Maybe it’s cheaper if you buy in advance – but I didn’t know who’d want to come (given the last time involved a goalless draw, a missed pen and a thorough post-match drenching).  Ho hum.

The fayre was improved this time.  I have to say I think LJ is being a bit harsh when he says we ‘won ugly’ – cos that was the best I’ve seen them thus far.  Perhaps he prefers ‘losing beautifully’ (Everton, home).  Aside from the 1^st 10 minutes, when Mawson nearly gifted them a goal and then was too hapless to bring their lad down (Nyatanga to the rescue, on the cover), they never threatened.  Ok, they hit the post – in injury time.  We controlled it.

The Gills' hordes. All 248 of 'em.

At the epicentre was Pearson, who broke down opposition moves before laying it off for our pile of attacking midfielders.  He then drove home a 20 yarder from the edge of the box when the cross was half cleared.  Then, in 1st half injury time, Winnall made it safe, running from 5 yards behind their defender who simply stood and stared as the ball came to him.  I’ve seen defending like that before at Oakwell.  Winnall nicked in front of him and dragged it into the bottom corner.  He is the Jimmy Greaves of the lower divisions.

If there was any disappointment, it was in not being greedy and pasting them in the 2^nd half. If this Gills lot are promotion contenders (they’re not) then we’re absolute certs for promotion.  As has been said, we lost it a bit when Crowley came on, but for all he lost the ball with his 1^st 5 touches, he was supreme thereafter.  Just needed to get his eye in!

The Ponty

*** Pearson of Manchester United.  Ran the game.

** Smith of Barnsley.  Seemed involved in most things, which was odd for a left back.  LJ likes him cos he gets up in support and crosses a ball.  Shame then that LJ doesn’t play anyone he can cross it TO.  Twitter MOTM.

* Harris of Cardiff City. I like this bloke.  Runs at people, worries them..and even if he loses it, balls run loose to oncoming midfielders.

Londontykes' Top 3:

1. Pearson

2. G. Smith

3. Watkins

Despatches:

The attacking midfield did well as a unit, without pulling up trees individually.  Though, stealing a line from an earlier report, ‘Hourihane proved he’s Premiership class by blaming other players when his passes went astray’.  Well, once.  But I do get p***ed off as he hangs into the ball too long, waits for the wide player to run past him (offside), THEN he plays the ball.  It’s not that I specifically look out for these things, they happen.  (Late 2^nd half, down our left – so I’d be amazed if the three mouseketeers of Reedy, Slacki and Salisbury never saw it).  LJ – have a word.

Nyatanga was class at centre half.  Or does Mawson make him stand out?  Mawson can look a class act, intercepting a through ball before strolling out confidently…only to get tackled in possession in their half or pass the ball to them or the stand.  For me, he’s got to improve before he becomes the new Jim McNulty/Brian O’Callaghan.  (‘But half the Championship want him!’  Yes, that’s why he signed for us.)  I also thought Wabara had a strong game at right back, while the kamikaze keeper Townsend was calmness personified, making a couple of decent stops and claiming everything in the air. 

Drink du jour: without me for the journey, I know Slacki was keen to hit the gin.  Sounds like he did. 

Away: 248.  Meaning barely over 8,000 Reds.

The subs warm down afterwards

Oakwell empties.

Match action

The old Main Stand

Gillingham 0-1 Barnsley, Saturday 28th February 2015

'It's like the tardis in here.'

It's a sign (literally)!  We're gonna win this one...

A couple of weeks after the debacle at Crawley, we're now talking of the play-offs.  This division is hilarious. While we've won a couple and lost a couple all season, flirting with relegation for the bit part, somehow, after 3 consecutive wins (and none conceded) we're now in with a promotion shout. How can this be?

Well, firstly, at Gillingham, we looked vaguely organised.  Everyone seemed to know their position and their job.  This was probably the best performance I've seen since beating Bradford at home in...oooh...October?  Maybe they were putting on a special show for everyone's favourite national socialist sympathiser Bob, over from Vienna for his 'local' game.  (Hi Bob!!)

'Welcome 2 Pikeyville'

Pre-match was a personal nightmare.  I missed my train from Peckham Rye, rocking up at 11:01 to find the 11:02 had just left. Ba5tards.  Then Gerry couldn't find Norris at St. Pancras, leading me to call Gerry 30 times - more calls than I've made thus far this year.  It transpired he had a new phone but had no idea how to answer it, apart from the one time he did - 'Gerry, meet me in Gillingham'.  Naturally, I found him outside the wrong entrance, but hey ho.  Taxi to the Will Adams to meet an extended Londontyke turnout, including Slacki's Yank mate and Bob's German colleague.  They must be mad.

Scaffolding Central.  How long can a stand be considered 'temporary'?

*** Pearson.  Ran midfield. What I especially like is the way he anticipates where an opposition player will control the ball to, and just nicks it off them.  That he then passes to a player in a red shirt is a mere bonus, while his ability to run at the opposition thereby making all kinds of space (for others to fail to capitalise on)...

** Crainie.  Is this the same bloke who capitulated at Crawley?  Marshalled the defence superbly, especially n the 1st half when Gills threatened.

* Davies.  What can I say?  Had little to do (but did it) but then saved a one-on-one (like v Crewe t'other week) to maintain our lead.  I cannot believe this bloke's transformation, from the panicky shambles we had earlier in the season.  Good on him, keep it up.  3 appearances, 3 clean sheets. Coincidence?

Londontykes top 3:
1. Pearson
2= Crainie / Davies

Union Jacks...and UKIP down the road (Rochester).

Despatches:
I like the look of O'Sullivan.  He runs at players, and should he lose it (often), he tracks back as quickly as possible too.  Hourihane - I don't know why I bother commenting.  You know the drill. The one time he COULD have made a difference, we're 2 on 1 with Lalkovic on the overlap, an easy ball through makes him one-on-one.  Instead, Hourihane overhits it, Lalkovic is forced wide and has no choice but to knock it back to Hourihane for the (weak) shot.  If I was a conspiracy theorist, I'd be convinced Hourihane did this on purpose, so that HE rather than Lalkovic, would get the opportunity.  But I don't think he has that level of footballing intelligence.  Least, not looking at the rest of his game.  Scowen was excellent, though what some of his biggest fans (Loko, Hicksy) won't be able to point out to you was the way we blazed a 1st half chance over the bar - cos they'd gone for a beer.  So it didn't happen. He was perfect.

Match action

Waring had a half-decent game, though he's no Rory Fallon.  He even grabbed the only goal; an unstoppable tap in from 3 yards out.  I have a theory: if you stand still long enough, if the opposition consider you absolutely no goal threat at all, you will, by law of averages, be left alone long enough to grab a goal every 5 games by simply being in the 6 yard box. So it has been with both of his goals for us thus far.  This time, while Gills fans and players fell about laughing as Holgate completely missed the ball, Pearson followed up, hit a long shot which the keeper parried straight to Waring.  Impossible to miss.  Smith and Nyatanga played well, Holgate less so.  Lalkovic looked dangerous, but never really delivered.  He needs to know when to take a player on rather than dink little balls in for a centre forward who won't be there.

Main Stand

12th - onwards and upwards!  Johnson becomes, statistically, the most successful manager in BFCs history since Mick Wadsworth was once in charge for one game (also a 1-0 win).

Drink du jour: The Will Adams did Erdinger, which was nice of them.  So me and all the real ale drinkers were happy. I missed the trip to the Flying Scotsman.  It was that or a romantic (birthday) meal for two.

Damage: 
15 entry.  Seats in the open.  Of course it rained.
15 train
3 programme
3.30 steak and ale pie.  Absolutely superb.

The 'ginnel' behind the away end

The Winners

Goodbye Gillingham!