In-form Bristol Rovers travel to Kent on Friday where they visit struggling Gillingham.
Matchday 42
The Gills walked away with a point at Priestfield Stadium last Saturday against Millwall. After a goalless first half, Bournemouth loanee, Joe Quigley gave the home side the lead. Millwall’s Tom King failed to keep possession of the ball after saving Cody McDonald’s header, giving Quigley the chance to score on the rebound.
Gillingham’s lead only lasted for 5 minutes as Steve Morison fired from close range, pushing the Lions into sixth in the table, giving them a current place in the play-offs.
Bristol Rovers found themselves in the lead within 11 seconds of the first half. Ellis Harrison’s low header met Byron Moore who fired home. Lile Taylor was close to making the equalising goal seconds after the second half whistle blew, but his near-post flick was caught into the hands of Joe Lumley.
The Pirates’ second consecutive win pushes them just 6 points below play-offs.
Bristol Rovers 2-1 Gillingham
Gillingham visited the Memorial Stadium back in October; a late goal from Ellis Harrison gave the Pirates the lead with 5 minutes added time to spare.
A goalless deadlock was broken after 62 minutes of play when an unmarked Josh Wright fired the ball low through Kelle Roos. Chris Lines’ run from the defensive third to Matty Taylor, who was found near the hosts’ box, assisted Lines as he fired home through the Gills’ poor defending. Bristol Rovers pushed themselves away from getting one point when a volley from Ellis Harrison in the 90th minute gave the home side the final lead.
Team news:
Bristol Rovers – The Pirates are still without defender, Peter Hartley who suffered a foot injury which he picked up in January. His expected return was at the beginning of April, but is still not fit enough to return back to the squad.
Ollie Clarke also picked up a knock against Shrewsbury Town – where he came off the pitch in the first half. He was missing from the squad against Wimbledon and may be doubtful to return for Friday’s game.
Manager, Darrell Clarke has revealed his injury concerns for the last four matches left this season. He said: “We don’t worry about league tables.”
“we know where we are and we know what we’ve got to do so we’ll concentrate on our own business,” (Bristol Post)
Gillingham – Adrian Pennock has described Zesh Rehman’s return to the squad is “doubtful” after suffering from a hamstring injury he picked up against Millwall. (Kent Online)
He [Pennock] is hopeful for the return of Chris Herd, who has been recovering from a knee injury. Herd would be positioned as a central defender as the club plan on playing as a 4-4-2.
Predicted XI:
Gillingham(4-4-2): T. Holy (GK); M. Ehmer (C), D. Oshilaja, C. Herd, R. Jackson; J. Wright, M. Byrne, L. Martin, H. Cornick; C. McDonald, J. Quigley.
Bristol Rovers(4-3-3): J. Lumley (GK); D. Leadbitter, T. Lockyer, R. Sweeney, L. Brown; C. Lines, S. Sinclair, C. Montano; B. Bodin, L. James, B. Moore.
Prediction:
This match is important for both sides. The Gills are on the edge of facing relegation and a win for them will keep them above the potential move to League Two. A win for the Pirates would push them closer to being awarded a position in the play-offs, but will be challenged by the performances of Southend and Millwall.
Predicted score: Gillingham 1-2 Bristol Rovers.
