Today’s game

G

GillsTC

Vital Newbie
What a good way to start the season... we weren’t perfect but there were loads of positive signs.

Charles-Cook was very lively with scary pace, Parrett, Ehmer and Zakuani were all tidy and effective, Hanlan took chance well and was a handful while O’Neil was a threat on the right.

Man of the match for me, though, was Bingham. Calm, assured and constantly broke up Accrington’s play.

Definitely not going to get carried away but this was a promising way to get things up and running.

A special mention to the chief steward from Accrington who asked my youngest to be the mascot for the Gills and lead the side out with Zakuani. Zak was an absolute gent and the youngest was absolutely buzzing afterwards.

The support was also great as you’d expect!
 
Do elaborate on the mascot thing - sounds like an amazing gesture. Your son will have a memory for life now - made even better that we won. Good on Accy.
 
The dolphin was an inflatable brought in by our fans... brightened up a lull during the section half.

In terms of the mascot, we were stood behind the goal as Holy was warming up. He deflected a ball behind that came close to us so the youngest ran down and handed it back. One of the stewards was watching so came over and asked my son his name and if he was interested in being the mascot. They get two local schools or teams to do it normally but always like to have a travelling fan leading out the away team, so they will pick people out of the away end. We were just in the right place at the right time, but with Zakuani being my youngest’s favourite player it was extra special.

I got loads of pictures (one that Zakuani has used on his own twitter feed) and videos so plenty of memories - and as you say, a great touch from Accy.
 
Great result. Well done lads. Looking at various comments and reports is Garmston a possible weak (defensive) link in our team?
 
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Garmston was a solid 6... didn’t do anything majorly wrong but he didn’t quite click into gear
 
Phil, Garmston was solid; ran faster than I'd seen for ages and he may have been ball watching when they netted an offside effort but perhaps he knew waht he was doing.

Overall, it seemed the players knew what they were doing and the new players, I'll include Bingham in that group, all did very well and slotted in well with the spine.

I would have thought that Accrington should have been gung ho after coming up as champions but we outplayed and outclassed them. I'm sure they'll improve and we'll come up against stronger teams but it was a fantastic three points to kick off the season.
 
GillsTC said:
The dolphin was an inflatable brought in by our fans... brightened up a lull during the section half.

In terms of the mascot, we were stood behind the goal as Holy was warming up. He deflected a ball behind that came close to us so the youngest ran down and handed it back. One of the stewards was watching so came over and asked my son his name and if he was interested in being the mascot. They get two local schools or teams to do it normally but always like to have a travelling fan leading out the away team, so they will pick people out of the away end. We were just in the right place at the right time, but with Zakuani being my youngest’s favourite player it was extra special.

I got loads of pictures (one that Zakuani has used on his own twitter feed) and videos so plenty of memories - and as you say, a great touch from Accy.
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Lovely touch by Accrington. I am sorry I was unable to make it .I am glad that it was a day your lad will never forget .Something I would love to see done by more clubs .What about it Mr Scally?
 
WHAT, and lose the chance of charging some family an absolute fortune for their kid to be mascot. The small gesture would improve the reputation of the club no end, and endear the supporters and their friends forever - NO F****** CHANCE , YOU MORON.
 
RotherhitheGill said:
WHAT, and lose the chance of charging some family an absolute fortune for their kid to be mascot. The small gesture would improve the reputation of the club no end, and endear the supporters and their friends forever - NO F****** CHANCE , YOU MORON.
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Thank you for that.I can dream. Maybe one day.Perhaps under Scally is a bit far fetched.
 
There were no weak links in the team today! What a difference a week makes ?? Have to say I thought Accringtons ground was more conference standard. That been said the pitch was spot on and all the stewards were very polite, helpful and in good spirits.
It was a good following around 4- 450 Gills fans mostly in the away stand but a small group sitting on the corner by the players tunnel in the corner. Have to say the Dolphin was quite humerus and good natured by all. It looked like we played the diamond formation
Make no mistake this was a decent Accrington side and I feel they will give a lot of sides a run for their money. They tried to play football and moved the ball well and worked it well laterally to both sides. No Reilly today ?? Injured ? A. S. were a big side.
Holy - Didn't have Much to do really but I do wish he would come out for the ball more and command his area during crosses, Especially as he must be over 13 feet + with his arms outstretched.
Oneil - looked steady although Accrington did play around him initially got better as the game unfolded. A few good crosses
Garmston- A solid game overall and some very good passes. One little blip in the first half as the Accrington winger just got in behind him following a cross arguably he judged it well ,but it came to nothing. Overall, Garmston totally frustrated a very good winger and he didn't get a look in. Some good runs pulling the Accrington defence wide. Looked very accomplished.
Zakuini- Solid in defence some good blocks struggles to play a passing game out of defence, but no nonsense.
Ehmer - again accomplished and solid. Likes to move up the pitch.
Bingham- My MOM very solid broke a lot of Accrington's attacking moves through midfield down. Looked quality on the ball. Some good passes and I hope he stays fit as he is a quality player.
Byrne- Tenacious and hard working the normal Byrne !
Cook - Attacked well with pace and a few quality runs in behind the defence and linked well with Hanlon for the first goal. One small criticism he has to work harder to do the nasty stuff and needs to get across to cover his man at all times as it tended to leave our defence a little exposed on the flank at times. Provided good attacking pace.
Parrett - looked a quality player today tough and tenacious and a wise head.
Hanlon - worked hard and had a descent debut. A good first goal . linking up well with Cook.
Parker- probably should have had 3-4 goals today. Blew hot and cold, but more hot ! played some very good football at times.
Sub
Eaves - understandably Looked a bit off the pace and lack of match fitness. I thought when he came on we lumped the ball up to him too many times.
Overall we attacked with pace and moved the ball well. when we attack om the front foot and score early we are difficult to beat away from home as last season. A good clean sheet I thought we could have won by 4 or 5 today. A great effort by all players everyone put a shift in and we still have players in List and Reilly to come back yet. A massive 3 points well done. I'm probably being a bit harsh with any criticism I've given, but its onwards and upwards V Burton next week
 
Cheers Ketts. Great report.

Oh, and just been googling around for Accy fans forum. I see on their official website they charge 150 quid for home mascot packages and 50 quid for away ones. Go figure.
Must be when there's no takers they look in the crowd. Good on them.
 
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Great result to start the season. Clean sheet was particularly pleasing to put the Col U game to room 101.

Lets hope we can serve something entertaining up next week for the home fans. Good start needed to get the fans through the door.
 
Don't disagree with the majority of Kettners report. Except it's HUMEROUS rather than HUMERUS. The latter is some kind of bone. Funny that :clown:

I thought Holy commanded his area well when he needed to. However he didn't seem to realise that he had the wind behind him in the second half and a lot of his kicks went straight to their keeper. I think Garmeston may have been told to take a more defensive role, hence the lack of forward runs and the perceived "quietness" from him.

Not sure what to make of Stanley. Wasn't impressed with Jackson or Kee. Nor with the skinnier of the centre backs. I think SL got his tactics right.

Referee was ok. I've seen worse. At the start, he seemed to allow a lot of fouls on Parker to go unpunished. It was quite ridiculous and I expected Josh to get a card for complaining. Quite blatant and bloody ridiculous. Did the linesman in front of the stand have a shoulder problem? He was so slow raising his flag for anything that I thought he was a cardboard cutout.
 
Sounds like we played a 4-3-3 with Charles-Cook and Hanlan either side of Parker - is that correct? Or did we play more fluidly in midfield and attack as previously alluded to by SL?
 
kettners said:
There were no weak links in the team today! What a difference a week makes ?? Have to say I thought Accringtons ground was more conference standard. That been said the pitch was spot on and all the stewards were very polite, helpful and in good spirits.
It was a good following around 4- 450 Gills fans mostly in the away stand but a small group sitting on the corner by the players tunnel in the corner. Have to say the Dolphin was quite humerus and good natured by all. It looked like we played the diamond formation
Make no mistake this was a decent Accrington side and I feel they will give a lot of sides a run for their money. They tried to play football and moved the ball well and worked it well laterally to both sides. No Reilly today ?? Injured ? A. S. were a big side.
Holy - Didn't have Much to do really but I do wish he would come out for the ball more and command his area during crosses, Especially as he must be over 13 feet + with his arms outstretched.
Oneil - looked steady although Accrington did play around him initially got better as the game unfolded. A few good crosses
Garmston- A solid game overall and some very good passes. One little blip in the first half as the Accrington winger just got in behind him following a cross arguably he judged it well ,but it came to nothing. Overall, Garmston totally frustrated a very good winger and he didn't get a look in. Some good runs pulling the Accrington defence wide. Looked very accomplished.
Zakuini- Solid in defence some good blocks struggles to play a passing game out of defence, but no nonsense.
Ehmer - again accomplished and solid. Likes to move up the pitch.
Bingham- My MOM very solid broke a lot of Accrington's attacking moves through midfield down. Looked quality on the ball. Some good passes and I hope he stays fit as he is a quality player.
Byrne- Tenacious and hard working the normal Byrne !
Cook - Attacked well with pace and a few quality runs in behind the defence and linked well with Hanlon for the first goal. One small criticism he has to work harder to do the nasty stuff and needs to get across to cover his man at all times as it tended to leave our defence a little exposed on the flank at times. Provided good attacking pace.
Parrett - looked a quality player today tough and tenacious and a wise head.
Hanlon - worked hard and had a descent debut. A good first goal . linking up well with Cook.
Parker- probably should have had 3-4 goals today. Blew hot and cold, but more hot ! played some very good football at times.
Sub
Eaves - understandably Looked a bit off the pace and lack of match fitness. I thought when he came on we lumped the ball up to him too many times.
Overall we attacked with pace and moved the ball well. when we attack om the front foot and score early we are difficult to beat away from home as last season. A good clean sheet I thought we could have won by 4 or 5 today. A great effort by all players everyone put a shift in and we still have players in List and Reilly to come back yet. A massive 3 points well done. I'm probably being a bit harsh with any criticism I've given, but its onwards and upwards V Burton next week
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Thanks for your report .Really looking forward to next week .Bingham is a player I really liked last season .Getting a full season out of him could have a major impact on the team .Like the sound of most of Lovell's new signings .
 
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