Glaring miss gifts Gills a point

Last updated : 10 March 2005 By Simon Head

Let’s not kid ourselves, we were lucky not to lose last night. Very lucky. If Watford had taken one of almost a dozen clear chances at goal, they would have run out comfortable winners. Instead they squandered virtually every one. Shots from range flew wide, or went straight at Jason Brown in the Gillingham goal. In fairness, Dyer’s late effort bounced off the crossbar, and Brown also had to pull off two or three fantastic saves to ensure his second clean sheet in two home games, but Watford were truly woeful in front of goal.

This was typified by a stoppage time miss of Ronny Rosenthal proportions, when James Chambers, who had been one of Watford’s better performers over the 90 minutes, somehow contrived to shank his effort about five yards wide of an open goal from about six yards out. It was the most glorious, spectacular miss seen at Priestfield in years – and one that effectively guaranteed Gillingham a point.

At the other end, we could only manage patches of possession, but conceded it far too quickly – and too often – to establish any form of dominance in the game. That said, the lads could have snatched all three points themselves. Hendo, Jarvis and Tommy Johnsonall went close with good efforts, but those three efforts were the only real clear-cut chances for the Gills, who looked leg-weary after Saturday’s efforts.

Despite the relative boredom of the game – it was long-ball-tastic from both sides, from first minute to last – another clean sheet and another point was generally welcomed by the Gills faithful at the final whistle. Sometimes it’s a case of getting out of games alive – and thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from Jason Brown and some pathetic finishing from the Watford forward line, Gillingham finished off with a much-needed point.