[ 7 Jan 22 ] GILLS v Leicester City Match Thread (FAC R3)

[Garawa]

- The Gills last faced Leicester in the 2004/5 Championship season where the visitors ran out 2-0 winners in both matches. The Gills have lost 4 of the 5 meetings, the other being a 3-2 home win in the old Division 1 (Championship) back in January 2003.
- This is the Gills 12th appearance in the 3rd round of the FA Cup in the last 24 seasons. 7 of the last 8 occasions in Round 3 have been against top flight opponents after 4 successive seasons against teams outside of the Premier League.
- The Gills have only once progressed to Round 4 in the previous 18 seasons after they beat Premier League Cardiff City in 2019. The Gills have won 10 and lost 20 of the 24 games played in Round 3.
- The Gills have played against higher league opponents at home 15 times in Round 3 of the FA Cup. 5 games were won and 9 were lost. A further 5 home Round 3 games were played against same division or lower opposition from which 3 wins were earned and no defeats suffered.
- In all competitions, Leicester started the season with 4 defeats and 2 draws in their opening 6 games with one of their draws coming at Stockport in the EFL Cup. They recovered to win 4 consecutive games in November but since have lost all 3 since.
- Leicester have won 7 and lost 11 of their 21 league and cup games this season including their last away outing at Liverpool. They have won their 4 away games before that without conceding a goal (4-0 at Wolves, 2-0 at Everton, 2-0 at West Ham and 3-0 at MK Dons).

(12.33) Kick Off [ 5 - 4 - 1 ]
Brendan Rogers XI: Iversen, Brunt, Vestergaard, Söyüncü, McAteer (Thomasat), Albrighton, Mendy (Ndidi), Tielemans, Pérez, Iheanacho, Vardy (Daka)

(12.39) Jefferies picks up the ball on the edge of the centre circle and runs to the edge of the box where he fires in a shot which Iversen gets a strong hand to.

(12.48) Leicester get into the box and goes round Alexander who puts out an arm. The player goes down but the ref waves away the penalty appeals.

(13.01) A Mckenzie throw is stabbed away. Ehmer deflects it to Adelakun who tricks his way past 2 Leicester defenders. After some quick triangular passing, a Tutonda cross is headed away and Williams' follow-up is well blocked.

(13.12) Another McKenzie throw finds the head of Ehmer who flicks on for Williams 3 yards from goal but he is too close to goal to trouble the 'keeper.

(13.16) An Albrighton cross skips just ahead of Vardy. McKenzie heads away at the far post but it falls to Iheanacho who curls a shot just wide of the left hand post.

(13.19) Half time 0-0

(13.36) The second half kicks off.

(13.37) Albrighton fires in a dipping shot from the right-hand edge of the box right under the crossbar. Turner back peddles to tip it over the bar.

(13.38) Gills go into the Leicester box to try and find a way through. Vardy clears but the Gills come back and MacDonald shoots wide.

(13.44) Jefferies sees his shot blocked by an outstretched foot and Adelakun blasts the rebound wide.

(13.46) GOAL! Gillingham 0-1 Leicester City: Iheanacho

(13.50) Vardy goes through on goal but Iheanacho goes it alone and finds the outstretched foot of Turner.

(13.54) A back header falls to the path of Vardy who shoots and Turner does just enough to deflect it narrowly wide of the right hand post.

(14.07) Vardy drives into space on the right hand side and uses his pace to get into the box and open up an angle for a shot. He shoots across Turner but misses the target.

(14.22) Kashket breaks through the Leicester defence. The offside flag goes up and he puts the ball into the Rainham End net in frustration.

(14.26) FULL TIME 0-1

Attendance: 8,567 (1,893)
Referee: Samuel Barrott
Match highlights: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/64164188
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64167846

[Garawa]

I thought the Gills performed well and, at times, it was hard to tell who the Premier League side was. There were 4 occasions when the Gills pressed the Leicester box and defenders were stretched but there was no end product and Iversen wasn't tested greatly. We should expect some signings this week which could change that. Interesting that the commentators in the live game thought we would spank a team soon and were complimentary of our play. Jefferies was all over the pitch and Wright, Williams and MacDonald had very good games. Kashket and Adelakun showed some good play which in League 2 might have seen them clattered instantly and Ehmer kept Vardy very quiet. Had we got the creative midfielders and strikers who test 'keepers instead of blasting wide when in the box, we could easily have won that!

Loved the banter between the fans. The Gills fans singing "you're wife is a grass, you're wife is a grass, Jamie Vardy you're wife is a grass" only for them to reply "he's worth more than you, he's worth more than you, Jamie Vardy he's worth more than you". When he was subbed he bowed to the Rainham End! He is a bit miserable though. I didn't see him warm up with everyone else, came onto the pitch last and was first out of the ground getting into a private vehicle after signing a few autographs.

It was great to see the new owners get to experience what the club is capable of, the big crowds, lots of noise and the occasion and how happy and excited his sons were. They met fans in the factory after and he spoke at half time about all the changes planned. It is going to be a very exciting time!

[lidbid46]

I agree with all that and for the first time in ages I’m looking forward to being a Gills fan!!