[ 14 Jan 23 ] GILLS v Hartlepool Utd Match Thread

[Garawa]

- The Gills lead the wins over Hartlepool by 16 wins to 11 and a further 10 meetings were drawn. The Gills are unbeaten in 4 games with Hartlepool since the last defeat - Hartlepool's 1-0 win at Priestfield in August 2009.
- The Gills' last win at Priestfield against Hartlepool came in November 2007, their 3rd consecutive home win against them during which the Gills were unbeaten in the 16 home games. 2 games have been played since without a goal - a 0-1 loss in the league and a 0-0 draw in the cup.
- After 2 draws and 8 defeats from their first 10 away league games, Hartlepool have won their last 2 away games both against fellow struggling sides (2-0 at Crawley and 2-1 at Rochdale).
- The Gills are the league's lowest scorers with 7 whilst Hartlepool are the division's highest conceders with 45 (27 in the second halves alone). In United's last 14 league games, they have kept 1 clean sheet and conceded 28 goals, the number the Gills have conceded in all 23 league games.
- The Gills have been ahead for the shortest total of minutes in League 2 (89) whilst Hartlepool have been behind for the most (836 minutes). Both sides have the worst difference between minutes ahead and behind - 637 and 574 minutes respectively.
- With 126 shots on target faced (5.3 per game on average) and facing 58 more shots on target than they have taken, Hartlepool have the worst records for allowing opposition shots at goal in the division. However, the Gills 52 on target is the lowest total in League 2.

(15.02) Kick Off [ 4 - 1 - 3 - 2 ]
The Gills show off George Lapslie before kick off. New signings Dieng, Hawkins and Nichols all start along with the returning Morris.

(15.09) Jefferies gets the first shot on target of the match after the Gills have bossed the play so far with Dieng covering all parts of the pitch.

(15.14) Nichols gets a shot away which is spilled by the 'keeper. It leads to a scramble but Jefferies can't quite get the touch needed to put it into the empty net.

(15.18) Nichols drives the Gills forward. McKenzie tries to play in Tutonda in a sweeping move but it's just out of reach in a really dangerous area.

(15.20) Another sweeping move from the Gills. Dieng is pulled down on the edge of the box and its a Gills free kick. MacDonald sends it in but Dieng heads it just over.

(15.25) Nichols charges towards goal but fires just wide. Gills already leading the shots 6-0.

(15.31) Hartlepool have their first foray forward with the strongest effort of the game so far. Umerah swivels away from his man and forces a save from Morris.

(15.37) Hawkins gets into a good space, beating the defence, but as he is closed down, he blasts over the bar.

(15.40) Hawkins and Nichols already showing great movement and link up play. Nichols is fouled and the Gills score from Alexander's free kick.

(15.41) GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Hartlepool United: Nichols

(15.48) Half time 1-0

(16.06) The second half kicks off.

(16.17) Dolan sends in a dangerous delivery and the Gills need two attempts to clear. Hartlepool have started clearly.

(16.18) Umerah has the ball in the back of the net for United but he is deemed offside.

(16.19) GOAL! Gillingham 2-0 Hartlepool United: Jefferies

(16.31) Umerah hits the post and Morris watches the ball land in his arms.

(16.53) FULL TIME 2-0

Attendance: 6,003 (255)
Position: 24th
Referee: Robert Lewis
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pELyYi-yH_I
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64195113