Lacklustre Gills edge past Chester

Last updated : 25 October 2008 By Yoosof Farah

They may have won 2-0, but no way was today's game as comfortable as it sounds. It was a lacklustre performance by Gillingham today, and with the game still at 0-0 with 70 minutes gone, one could only think, "here we go again".

No matter who we were playing, things were going to be tough today. Top scorer Simeon Jackson was still ruled out through injury, and both Mark Bentley and captain Barry Fuller were suspended. This meant Garry Richards had to drop back into the right back role, with Mark McCammon coming in to partner Gary Mulligan up front. Andrew Barcham had to be switched to the left wing.

In my view, the game was so boring there wasn't really much worth noting in the first half. 25 minutes into the second half, and still nothing that interesting. But then a minute later, the Gills fans' worst fears were wiped away as Tottenham Hotspur loanee Andrew Barcham poked the ball into the back of the net.

A first goal of the game for Gillingham, and a first in Gills colours for Andrew Barcham, who has recently extended his loan spell at Priestfield for another month.

Minutes later, and the mighty Gills doubled their advantage. John Nutter sent a testing corner to the near post for Gillingham's other Tottenham Hotspur loanee, Leigh Mills, to power home and give the Gills a two-goal cushion.

Albert Jarrett looked set to wrap up a rather unconvincing win for the Gills, with an undeserved third when he was sent one-on-one with the Chester City keeper, but instead he decided to do the right thing and hit the ball straight at keeper John Danby. A wasted opportunity most would think, but after knowing his team didn't deserve a third, think of it as good sportsmanship by the Sierra Leone winger.

Right before the end, manager Mark Stimson decided to give 16-year old Jack Payne his first-team debut. Lucky sod, he's the same age as me and he gets to play for the Gills. Whereas I on the other hand have to waste £175 of my own money just to watch the Gills!

All in all, the Gills are back to winning ways. An unconvincing performance and an undeserved 2-0 win. But who cares? The Gills have won, and winning when you have an off day, now that really is the hallmark of champions.