[ 7 Apr 23 ] GILLS v Doncaster Rovers Match Thread

[Garawa]

- The Gills lead the wins by 36 wins to 15 and a further 20 meetings were drawn. Doncaster won the reverse fixture 1-0 back in October after the Gills won both fixtures last season 1-0, part of a 3 game unbeaten spell against the visitors.
- Doncaster last won at Priestfield back in December 2018. It followed an unbeaten spell of 4 home games for the Gills and, since then, it has been 3 league and cup wins for the Gills and a draw.
- Doncaster have managed 1 league win in 9 games and 6 ended in defeat including both of their last 2 matches (home 0-2 losses). They last won away from home at Swindon in February (drawing 2 and losing 2 since) and that league win is the only 1 in their last 8 on the road.
- Doncaster have lost 9 of their 19 away league matches this season (including 5 of the last 8) and these came after they went unbeaten in their opening 3. Only 1 of those defeats saw them concede 1 goal with 5 seeing at least 3 goals conceded. They have let in 22 goals in 13 away games.
- Both sides have endured the most blank sheets in League 2 - the Gills have had 21 in their 39 games and Doncaster have suffered 16 in their 39 (the Gills have had 4 in their last 10 and Doncaster 6 in their last 10).
- With an average of 9.1 per game, Doncaster have conceded the fewest number of fouls in the division. This rate has increased slightly over their last 4 games where they have given away a total of 44. The Gills have won 56 in their last 4 games.
- The Gills are still League 2's lowest scorers of second half goals with 15. Doncaster have scored 25 goals after half time but have failed to score a single second half goal in any of their last 10 games. They have conceded 8 in that period, the same number scored by the Gills.

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

(15.03) An early Nichols chance is headed over when left unmarked from a corner.

(15.07) Gills have a throw which is headed on to the roof of the net for a corner.

(15.16) Morris gets down quickly to his right to tip the shot around the post for a corner.

(15.35) The Gills defence head a Doncaster corner off the bar after an effort was headed away a yard from goal.

(15.44) GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Doncaster Rovers: Nichols

(15.52) O'Brien tricks his way goalward and has an effort blocked before a side-footed MacDonald effort is also blocked.

(15.53) Half-time (1-0)

(16.09) The second half kicks off.

(16.22) 3 times the Gills are first to the ball inside the Doncaster box as Rovers struggle to clear. Eventually, Nichols gets a shot away but it's an easy gather for the keeper.

(16.36) Good movement by Rovers causes problems for the Gills' defence. They make space for a shot outside the box but Morris is equal to it.

(16.40) Lapslie makes an instant impact as a sub as he goes through on goal. His shot is blocked as he's a little close to the 'keeper and the rebound is gathered.

(16.50) Gills have a corner which Gills head back towards goal at the far post. Rovers can't clear and a tame shot delects narrowly wide for a corner.

(16.59) A Doncaster shot across the face of goal from a very good position goes wide after nobody capitises on the effort.

(17.00) FULL TIME 1-0

Attendance: 6,842 (193)
Position: 19th
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Kat93vG25Q
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65133635