[ 2 Jan 23 ] Stevenage FC v GILLS Match Thread

[Garawa]

- Results between the sides are very even; the Gills edge the wins 3 to 2 and a further 2 meetings were drawn. The reverse fixture was drawn back in October and followed a win for each side in cup games including the Gills only win at Stevenage in September 2014.
- Since their last league defeat, Stevenage are unbeaten in the 8 games played since, winning 4 of them. That defeat was their only home loss in the league this season, a home record that boasts 10 wins from the other 11 home league matches played.
- Stevenage are the league's top scorers at home with 23 goals from 12 games and have conceded just 6 goals. The Gills have scored 7 goals home and away in all 22 league games played, the lowest total in the division.
- Stevenage are 1 of 3 sides to have conceded the fewest number of first half goals (7 - the same total the Gills have scored in all first and second halves). They have conceded just 1 first half goal in their last 8 league games and none in the last 6.
- Stevenage have been ahead for 471 minutes in their 12 home league games, the highest total in the division. This averages at 39.3 minutes for each home game and they have only been behind for 70 minutes. The Gills have been ahead for just 89 minutes across all 22 league games.
- Stevenage have faced the fewest shots on target in League 2 with 58, an average of 2.5 every league game, helping them to a league-high shot difference of +43 shots on target taken vs faced. The Gills have managed the fewest shots on target with 50.

(15.02) Kick Off [ 4 - 1 - 3 - 2 ]

(15.04) Stevenage fire in a strong cross. Former-Gill Luke Norris does well to create space whilst another former-Gill Jordan Roberts can't stab it home. Morris, back from injury and with a week of his contract remaining, watches it whip past him helplessly.

(15.09) MacDonald goes through on goal and tries to lift the ball over the 'keeper. His hand blocks the effort and Mandron tries to collect the loose ball. It's part-cleared but only as far as Kasket on the edge of the box who fires goalward but it's deflected wide. Play is brought back for a foul.

(15.12) A Stevenage cross goes across the 6-yard box and wide for a goal-kick just before an attacker could deflect it goalward.

(15.22) The Gills have been relentless, pressing Stevenage deep in their own half and spraying the passes around. After a few minutes, MacDonald fires into the 'keeper's arms and Stevenage can breath.

(15.25) Stevenage FC 1-0 Gillingham: Piergianni

(15.42) The Gills struggle to clear and the ball falls to Piergianni who scissor kicks towards the bottom right corner. It is blocked enough to trickle just wide of the post for a corner.

(15.49) Half time 1-0

(16.05) The second half kicks off.

(16.12) The Gills have started brightly and using passing triangles to carve through the Stevenage defence. The end product isn't there however as the cross ends up overhit.

(16.21) A cross into the box is well cleared but a second bite of the cherry sees a Stevenage diving header to concede a corner.

(16.31) Seconds after a double-change for the Gills, Jordan Roberts is forced into a save which goes just wide of the post.

(16.49) McKenzie strikes an effort which trickles centimetres wide of the right hand post.

(16.57) FULL TIME 1-0

Attendance: 3,703 (550)
Position: 24th
Referee: Carl Boyeson
Match highlights:
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64092585