[ 20 Aug 22 ] GILLS v Walsall Match Thread

[Garawa]

- After never playing Harrogate in any competition, the Gills will play Walsall for the 117th time. The Gills have won 47 of the meetings and lost 45.
- The Gills are winless against Walsall in the last 3 meetings and Walsall won both fixtures during the last season in which they both contested the same division (2018/9). The Gills have won 2 of the last 15 games with Walsall, both away from home.
- The Gills last win against Walsall at Priestfield was back in September 2007 when they ran out 2-1 winners. Since then, Walsall have been unbeaten in 7 visits, winning 2 of them including a 3-0 win the last time they came.
- Walsall have drawn and lost their last 2 games after winning their opening 3 in all competitions. Those 3 wins followed a spell at the end of last season which saw 2 wins from their last 9 games.
- Walsall manager Michael Flynn won his first away game in charge of the Saddlers, a 1-0 win against the league leaders Forest Green in February. Since then, Walsall have won 1 of their 10 league games on the road (5 defeats), the win coming at Flynn's former team Newport.
- Walsall have managed the most shots on target in any League 2 game this season (11 against Hartlepool on the opening day). Since then, they have managed just 2 shots on target in the 3 games played since and scored 3 goals from them (1 own goal).

(15.01) Kick Off [ 3 - 4 - 3 ]

(15.11) Alexander lobs a ball forward for Green to chase. The 'keeper just beats the Gills attacker to the ball and there is contact. Play stops for a knock to the head and no penalty is given.

(15.17) Green does well to wriggle past a couple of markers but cannot get a shot away. Law follows up and wins a free kick.

(15.34) An outstretched arm on Green is not given as a foul despite a clear push and seconds later a foul goes Walsall's way.

(15.49) Half time 0-0

(16.05) The second half kicks off.

(16.14) Jordan Green switches pace and makes space inside the box. He pulls the ball back but cannot find a teammate and its out for a corner.

(16.15) The corner comes in and it eventually finds its way to Ehmer who forces a good save from the Walsall 'keeper.

(16.23) Gills are causing lots of problems for Walsall with a series of half chances and corners.

(16.25) Walsall hit the post.

(16.29) O'Keefe robs his man of possession 30 yards from goal and goes through into the box. Resists the pass to Mandron to his left, goes for goal but his effort is just over!

(16.46) Walsall have a good chance to open the scoring but head just over.

(16.47) Lewis Walker, with his first touch, slips between two defenders and strikes a shot onto the face of the post.

(16.50) League top-scorer Danny Johnson, with barely a touch all game, pounces on a mistake from Baggott and gets the visitor's first shot on target, forcing an excellent save from Morris.

(16.56) FULL TIME 0-0

Attendance: 3,917 (333)
Position: 20th
Referee: Robert Madley
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r6VOAxZTaQ
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62529257