[ 15 Apr 23 ] GILLS v Stockport County Match Thread

[Garawa]

- Stockport edge the wins over the Gills by 15 wins to 13 and a further 13 meetings were drawn. Before the reverse fixture back in March (0-0), the sides last met in the 2010/11 season where the Gills won both fixtures and are unbeaten in 11 meetings (6 wins) since County's last win in August 2000.
- Stockport last played at Priestfield back in October 2010 and went home winless for a 4th consecutive visit (the Gills have won the most recent 2). Those matches followed Stockport's last win at Priestfield in August 2000, a 3rd win in 4 visits for them.
- Stockport started the season with 2 wins and 6 defeats from their opening 11 league games. The 30 played since have registered 18 wins and 5 defeats. Away from home, they began with 5 consecutive defeats but the 15 on the road since have seen 10 wins and just 3 losses.
- Stockport have won their last 3 away games all by a 1-0 scoreline. They have won 5 of the last 6 with the other match, a 0-1 defeat at Barrow, being their only home or away loss in 15 games. The Gills have won their last 4 at home and won 8 of the last 9 with the other match a 0-2 loss at home to Bradford.
- Stockport have the joint fewest away blank sheets (4) in League 2 and the joint fewest in total (8). The Gills have suffered the joint highest number of home blank sheets (8) in the division and have the most in total (21). Only 5 sides have more clean sheets than the Gills' 15.
- The Gills are League 2's lowest scorers for first half goals (13), the same number that Stockport have conceded. County haven't conceded a first half goal in 11 matches. Their +12 goal difference for second half goals is the joint highest in the division.

(15.02) Kick Off [ 4 - 5 - 1 ]

(15.09) Stockport make a mistake at the back and MacDonald capitalises. He shoots across the goal and the 'keeper sticks out a boot to deflect the shot away.

(15.18) Masterson commits a foul on the edge of the box. The whistle goes and Stockport put the ball in the net but play is brought back for a yellow card for Conor and a free kick which strikes the wall.

(15.23) Ehmer now concedes a free kick in an even better position. He is also booked so both Gills centre halves are on a booking after 23 minutes. The free kick goes over the bar.

(15.29) The Gills counter-attack and Nichols forces the 'keeper to palm his shot back into play but Stockport clear quickly.

(15.47) The referee indicates an additional 5 minutes to be played.

(15.54) Half time 0-0

(16.10) The second half kicks off.

(16.13) Ehmer has an initial effort is blocked before a chance for an even better second shot is struck well but misses the target by a yard or so.

(16.14) Madden tricks his way to get away Stockport's first shot on target which Morris has to tip over the bar.

(16.19) GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Stockport County: Lapslie

(16.24) A Gillingham corner is met by Dieng but Stockport nod his effort off the line.

(16.31) Nichols forces the 'keeper into a good save after breaking the offside trap but the flag went up late.

(16.48) Gills go 5 at the back to park the bus. Stockport pile on the pressure. Madden has a bouncing effort the Gills struggle to block and a follow up is stabbed wide of the post.

(16.53) A Stockport free kick is headed just over the bar.

(16.53) GOAL! Gillingham 1-1 Stockport County: Collar

(16.56) Lapslie goes down inside the box but nothing is given. "Seen them given" is the best description but possibly a bit soft. Seconds later, Abrahams also goes down and the Rainham End scream loud but that would have been very soft.

(16.58) Coleman has a shot that could have gone anywhere and wins the Gills a corner.

(16.59) The referee blows the whistle for a Gills foul just as Dieng drives the ball into the net.

(17.02) Madden drives a low shot and Morris makes a brilliant save. A Stockport follow-up results in a corner.

(17.03) FULL TIME 1-1

Attendance: 5,810 (519)
Position: 18th
Referee: Martin Woods
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXGAdZ9uv7M
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65217697