Physical Gillingham end Accrington Stanley’s unbeaten home record to gain a vital three points

It was not pretty, and there was little finesse, but Neil Harris’ Gillingham gained three crucial points in a tense battle with Accrington Stanley.

The Gills had a game plan to keep them competitive against one of the current strongest home sides in the EFL in Stanley, who were unbeaten in nine and had won the last four fixtures at the Wham Stadium.

Often a fair bit of grit and determination is needed when attempting to escape the drop, and Harris has simplified tactics to make Gillingham more effective.

One aspect that troubled the Stanley defence throughout the afternoon was Ryan Jackson’s rocket of a long throw.

Throw-ins near the Accrington box quickly became as dangerous as a corner, with the Gills striker Vadaine Oliver winning most of the first contact when Jackson launched the ball from the touchline.

Oliver is no stranger to the North-West, having spent two seasons with Morecambe between 2017 and 2019.

The six-foot-two target man is the perfect striker to have in a relegation dogfight, with his ability to battle for scraps and strength to hold up play to the Gills’ advantage.

It only took four minutes for a Jackson throw to put the home side under pressure, with Oliver knocking the ball down to Ben Thompson, who managed to return the ball to the forward, but the 30-year-old failed to hit the target.

The game lacked any rhythm, and it took until the 30th minute for Stanley to have their first real chance of the game when Mitch Clarke bundled his way into the Gills penalty area but failed to find the bottom corner of Aaron Chapman’s goal.

Quality was lacking, and the best move of the first half turned out to be offside after Thompson broke through the Accrington Midfield and found Charlie Kelman, who was denied by a desperate lunge from Michael Nottingham, with the flag then raised.

John Coleman’s Stanley were much improved at the beginning of the second half. Colby Bishop almost sent the Accrington faithful into delirium when his acrobatic effort had to be palmed over the bar by Chapman.

Korede Adeoyin had an excellent chance to put the home side in front in the 52nd minute when he went through on goal, but an inspired Chapman denied him.

There is some suggestion that Accrington should have been awarded a goal in the 56th minute when Chapman seemed to have made a stunning save to deny Harry Pell from heading the hosts into the lead.

There was a suggestion of whether the ball was over the line before the Gills stopper made the save, which Coleman reflected on during his post-match interview.

He said:

“Chapy’s (Aaron Chapman) said the one he’s clawed out is comfortably over the line.

“All our players think it is.”

With Accrington increasing the pressure, it seemed like Gillingham needed a goal if they were to get anything from the game.

Their opener came from their most threatening weapon in the shape of Jackson’s long throw. The Stanley defending was calamitous as Harvey Rodgers missed the ball, allowing Oliver to get a shot away at Accrington’s debutant keeper Liam Isherwood.

Isherwood managed to get a hand to the shot, but Kelman followed up to head the Gills into the lead.

Gillingham’s second also came from a long throw, albeit indirectly after a clearance fell Daniel Phillips, who lofted a hopeful back into the Stanley danger area. Nobody on the pitch moved apart from Isherwood and Oliver. Unfortunately for Accrington’s young stopper, the Gills centre forward jumped higher to head the ball into an unguarded net.

Stanely fought back, and Rodgers tried to redeem himself when he drew a penalty out of the Gillis defence with a powerful run ended unlawfully in the box. Bishop stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly placed his effort down the middle.

Seven minutes were added on, giving Coleman’s team hope an equaliser. The most controversial moment of the match came in the 96th minute, with Stanley winning a corner.

Sean McConville sent in a cross, which was headed into the area by Clark. Ross Sykes rose to head the ball, seemingly only to be jumped on by Jack Tucker. Referee Scott Oldham turned down the penalty appeals leaving Coleman and Accrington furious, which he conveyed post-match.

He said:

“Three penalty shouts, we probably got the weakest one of the three.

“The one at the end is diabolical.

“Nothing can appease me, or there is no explanation that can possibly say that is not a penalty.

“There is no radical or reasonable explanation why that is not a penalty.”

Stanley may feel that they have been let down by poor officiating, but Gillingham will not care as they have another essential three points as they try to escape the drop.

Harris’ side now have a four-point gap over AFC Wimbledon, who are in the final relegation spot, but they have played a game more.

If Oliver and Kelman can continue to score regularly, the Gills should be safe.

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