[ 22 Mar 25 ] GILLS v Walsall Match Thread

[Garawa]

- Of the 121 matches between the sides, Walsall and the Gills cannot be separated with 47 wins apiece and 27 draws. They last met in February for a successive 1-1 draw meaning that the Gills are now winless in 8 meetings (4 defeats) since an away win back in November 2017.
- This fixture last season ended 1-1 and was the Gills' first home goal against Walsall in 4 attempts. Walsall's record at Priestfield is decent having gone unbeaten in 9 visits (2 wins) since the Gills' last home victory against them thanks to a Mulligan brace in September 2007.
- Between match 10 and 25 inclusive, Walsall went 16 league games without defeat, winning 12 of them (including 9 in a row where they scored 22 goals and conceding 6). Since then, it has been 5 defeats in the 12 games with just 2 wins (none in the last 5).
- Walsall have won 1 of their last 5 home games and have lost the last 2 after winning 6 in a row. On the road however, they are unbeaten in 4 away games drawing the last 3 after 3 consecutive defeats.
- There have been 110 goals in Walsall's 37 league matches, the joint highest in the division thanks in part to having the fewest blank sheets (6) and the most goals scored (67). The 70 goals in the Gills' 36 games is the fewest amount in the division.
- Walsall have scored a whopping 48 goals in the second halves of their 37 league matches (the most in League 2) but have only managed 1 in the previous 4. This contrasts with the Gills' 31 goals in total from all 90 minutes across their 36 games. They have scored 1 in their last 5 games and haven't managed more than 1 for 16 league games.
- At an average of 3.62 per game, Walsall give away the fewest corners in League 2 and an average of 6.36 won, they are awarded the most corners in the division also.
- Walsall's 338 fouls won is the fewest amount in League 2. They have won just 46 in their last 5 games, an average of 9.2 whilst the Gills won 22 against Accrington and 79 in their last 5, averaging 15.8 per game.

[Sat 22nd Mar 2025] EFL Sky Bet League 2: Gillingham FC v Walsall
Opposition Manager: Mat Sadler. Matchday Team:
Sam Hornby, Evan Weir, Harry Williams, Taylor Allen, Nathan Asiimwe, Charlie Lakin (Danny Johnson) , Ryan Stirk, Jamie Jellis (Brandon Comley), Oisin McEntee, Albert Adomah (Alfie Chang), [c] Jamille Matt (Levi Amantchi)
Opposition League Position: Sky Bet League 2 (1st)
Referee: Andrew Humphries
Attendance: 6,153 (395)

(15:00) Kick Off [ 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 ]
(15.04) Great turn by Gbode wins a free kick in a Central and dangerous area. Little forces a save and Clark brushes the roof of the net from the rebound.
(15.06) Gbode beats his man and goes down in the box after a brush from the defender. The ref says 50/50 and a goal kick is given.
(15.19) Incredible double save from Morris! The first, after Masterson was robbed in possession, left Matt alone in the box 1 on 1 before the follow up from Jellis.
(15.25) Masterson heads in from a free kick but is not given after a push on Walsall defender a few yards further back.
(15.42) Morris pulls the ball off the line from a point blank header from Matt.
(15.45) 1 minute is added to the half.
(15.46) Half time 0-0

(16.01) The second half kicks off.
(16.01) From the kick off, Morgan flashes a fierce driven shot across go and just over from right corner of the box.
(16.42) Fantastic square pass from Wakeling finds the foot of Nevitt who shoots straight at the keeper.
(16.43) Williams receives the ball in the box, turns and shoots across goal but just wide.
(16.46) The fourth official indicates 9 additional minutes.
(16.49) A Walsall corner is side foot volleyed just over the bar.
(16.55) FULL TIME 0-0

Gills' League Position After Game: 19th
Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/ckg8pz5nr1dt
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj_5up1VGUo