[ 31 Oct 15 ] Walsall v GILLS Match Thread

[Garawa]

It's 2nd vs 1st in League 1. The Gills have won 4 and lost 0 of their last 6 whilst Walsall have won 3 and lost 1.

In Football League matches the Gills have 43 wins over Walsall whilst Walsall have 40 wins over the Gills and both are the most number of wins over any other side each club has played.

The last time we met, the game ended 1-1 at the Bescot Stadium and it was the 6th consecutive draw with Walsall home and away.

The Gills are unbeaten in their last 3 visits to Walsall but last won there in February 1992 - a total of 15 games without a win (9 of which were defeats).

Walsall have the meanest defense in the division with 12 goals conceded (3 better than the Gills) whilst the Gills have the second best offense with 29 goals scored (4 better than Walsall).

Walsall top scorer Tom Bradshaw has 9 goals in 18 games beating Rory Donnelly's 6 in 16 however his 6 goals in 15 league games is bettered by Donnelly's 6 in 14.

The Gills have lost twice in the league this season, both in away games. Walsall have lost twice in the league this season, both in home games.

Walsall have kept clean sheets in 5 of their 8 away games but only in 2 of their 7 at home after previously keeping 4 in a row at the end of last season.

3:03: Kick-Off.

3:15
GOAL! Walsall 0-1 Gillingham: McDonald

3:17
Both sides are unbeaten when scoring first in the league. The Gills have won 6 and drawn 3 whilst Walsall have won 8 and drawn 4 (the most in the league). Walsall have lost both the games they conceded first in.

3:34
Penalty won by Bradley Dack!

3:35
GOAL! Walsall 0-2 Gillingham: Dack

3:40
GOAL! Walsall 1-2 Gillingham.

3:41
GOAL! Walsall 2-2 Gillingham.

3:47
The Gills have scored more than 2 goals in a league game 4 times this season. Walsall have done so twice but none in a home match.

3:52: Half-time 2-2

4:07
The second half kicks off.

4:10
Just 1 in every 3 games so far this season has seen a second half goal conceded.

4:53
GOAL! Walsall 3-2 Gillingham.

4:56
Walsall hit the post.

4:57: FULL-TIME 3-2

Position: 3rd
Attendance: 6,663 (689)
Referee: Darren Drysdale

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

Our biggest game of the season so far,1st vs 2nd.Both of us have surprised many people with our brilliant starts,and this will be game of the day.We keep drawing with Walsall so will there be a winner this time? I reckon both Teams would be happy with a draw.If we can get something it will be a decent result.

[fan_of_mulligan]

I think Gillingham will line up as follows.......................

----------------------------------Nelson-----------------------------------------
-------------Ehmer---------------Egan-------------------Lennon---------------
Jackson------------A.Morris-------------------Loft-------------------Garmston
-----------------------------------Dack------------------------------------------
--------------------Donnelly-----------------Williamson------------------------

Subs: G.Morris (GK), McGlashan, B.Dickenson, Houghton, Hessenthaler, Osadebe, McDonald

I think Gillingham will line up with The 3.5.2 / 5.3.2 formation that worked so successfully against Chesterfield for the top of the table clash against Walsall tomorrow, other then one glaring error for Chesterfield's equaliser at 1-1, Gillingham were strong defensively and that defensive solidarity will be needed against a very impress Walsall side at The Bescot Stadium, I have gone with Ryan Jackson and Bradley Garmston for the wing back roles but Jermaine McGlashan and Brennan Dickenson could also start in those positions, such a shame that starting all four of them together against Southend United didn't work as well as I thought, as I thought the pace and movement of Jackson, McGlashan, Garmston and Dickenson would of caused Southend United a lot of problems defensively.

I think Doug Loft will start tomorrow, Lofty added a bit of composure in the middle of midfield and alright his goal was a flukey goal last week, but he made a telling contribution as a substitute last weekend and that bit of experience in the middle of the park is needed for a match like this one, Cody McDonald may only be fit enough for appearances from the bench for the time being meaning that Ben Williamson and Rory Donnelly start in attack.

I will be leaving from Rainham at 8.30AM, here's hoping that Gillingham come back from Walsall with at least a point - COME ON THE GILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Garawa]

Very disappointing to lose so late on but I guess we've had our fair share of positive results. Sounded like Dack had a tremendous game but it shows how much every player needs to be on their game. Unbeaten in 6 in the league with 4 wins and the first defeat drops us down 2 places a point behind the top 2 having been 4 points clear at one point. Going to be a very tough ask to stay there but someone will have to!

[Kent_UckyFriedGills]

I felt gutted to lose after being 2-0 up.The two minutes of madness cost us something from the game,but it sounded like a great advert for league one football.We have also had a lot of luck recently with scoring late goals ourselves.We`re still in a great position,and there will be ups and downs with this young side.Great to see Cody back scoring and with a cool finish,and good for Dack scoring a penalty to make it 8 goals for the season for him.A shame he misses the Stevenage cup game,but better for him to miss that game than a league game.

[gillsfan1066]

We all knew these games were going to be tough, in the last two games we have thrown away 5 points drawing with Southend and loosing yesterday, yet were still right there and with a great home record we just need to tighten up the away record. Bit of a break next weekend, I think a Cup run would do us good, couple of good wins and a nice third round draw away against a Premier team would put some money in the bank, so everything looks OK to me, even if I am looking from a distance.

[fan_of_mulligan]

http://fan-of-mulligan.tumblr.com/post/132534210377/fom-blog-walsall-3-2-gillingham

This is My FOM BLOG for Gillingham's 3-2 defeat against Walsall on Saturday - Enjoy.