Gillingham 0-0 Rotherham United
On Tuesday 21st February 2012, Gillingham welcomed Rotherham United to Priestfield for their League Two fixture.
The Gills have to play three home games in the space of eight days. Which follow on from five consecutive league defeats or six competitive defeats including the FA Cup, so it was no surprise tonight when I took to my normal seat in the stadium to be surrounded by many an empty one.
Yes, it is disheartening when you only see 3,248 seats filled but that is what happens when you have too many games in such a short period of time possibly combined with a previous poor run of results. Still all the better view of the game for me is the selfish positive aspect I put on it. Even more faithful were the Rotherham 57 travelling fans.
What a game it was, Andy Hessenthaler going with Jack Evans, Simon King, Connor Essam and Danny Jackman in defence. The back four I hoped he would go with and it did not disappoint, Simon King was at the heart of the defence leading the young players such as Jack Evans who was awarded man of the match, deservedly so as he puts in an astounding performance, as he and the rest of the team put in long quality passes that kept Rotherham on the defensive and even had a brilliant attempt on goal himself from about 30 yards out.
It was a pleasure to watch in the first half as the Gills continued to push forward towards the Brian Moore Stand and the Rotherham goal, with Tomlin and Kuffour somehow unable to find the target. Although they did have the Gillingham fans out of their seats for what appeared could only be a certain goal that somehow did not find its way across the line and in to the back of the net.
The Gills Argentine goal keeper kept pumping the ball forward with some astounding kicks the length of the field. Normally I hate it when goal keepers do that but he was doing it with such precision, putting Rotherham even with their height under constant pressure. Currently injured Ross Flitney will struggle to get his place back if Gazza keeps up that performance.
There was a nervy moment around the 37th minute, when Gazza managed to block a Rotherham goal bound shot, only to see arms raised as the ball was bundled across the goal line at the Rainham End but relief soon followed when the ref indicated handball and awarded Gillingham a free kick and showed Lewis Grabban a yellow card.
Half time it was 0-0 but you went away for half time refreshments asking yourself why we were not one or two goals up. It was such an inspiring performance, that even on a February night I was looking forward to the second half.
However, in the second half Rotherham appeared to come more in to the game, with the Gills being on the receiving end of some pressure and near misses from the Millers.
New signing Oliver Lee came on for Curtis Weston in the second half but it did not have any impact on the game which finished 0-0. Some fans might not have been able to make the game tonight with such a heavy fixture programme, due to costs, being a mid week game, work commitments, some may simply be voting with their feet.
Myself, I am glad I was able to turn up tonight and despite no goals and only one point, I was duly rewarded with one of the best if not the best performance this season.
Same again Saturday please.
Written by brb
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