GILLINGHAM V SPIREITES – SATURDAY 31 AUGUST
It was the Spireites’ longest journey of the season (412 mile round trip) and saw the first reverse of the season away to the Gills. Started so brightly and played some very nice football in the first 7 minutes which saw a Banks free kick hit the bar. The post was struck as well. Terrific start.
However all the good work was undone on 8 mins when Gillingham had a free kick on the left. Great free kick but the marking at the back post was poor at best and Mckenzie gleefully headed home unmarked. That was to be the only goal of the game. Rest of the game followed a pattern of woodwork being hit. Chances being made. a Grigg goal disallowed for offside. Jacobs replaced Campbell. Metcalfe debuted for Markanday. Williams replaced Banks (possibly before he saw red?)
Maybe the way of the game is sometimes you need a bit of luck in football and yesterday the Spireites had none whatsoever. It happens. Even against ten men for large period of the second half it just didn’t go our way. Absolutely nothing much wrong with the performance. Statistics are interesting.
Corners: Gills 1 Spireites 5
Touches in box: Gills 11 Spireites 30.
Boot had 1 save to make. But their keeper only had 2. Both teams had 3 shots on target.
Card count: Gills – Ogie, Clark and 2 yellows for Ehmer. Spireites – Naylor, Metcalfe and 2 yellows for Dunkley in the injury time, which then meant red and so misses the Grimsby game.
Possession wise: Gills 34% Spireites 66%. But it just wouldn’t run for the visitors.
Attendance 6954 with 330 travelling Spireites.
Next up away at Lincoln on Tuesday 3rd September and Grimsby are in town next Saturday 7th.
Gillingham 1 Chesterfield 0
Match report and photos: Alan Wilkinson 1 September 2024