[ 5 Aug 23 ] Stockport County v GILLS Match Thread

[Garawa]

- The Gills start their 130th year with their 119th full season in the Southern or Football Leagues. They start their campaign away from home for the second season in a row and for the 50th season, previously winning 11 of them.
- The Gills have only started a season with a 4th tier Football League match away from home in 6 seasons. The previous occasions saw just 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats. The last time they started with an away league game in this division was 2012 - the season they won the league.
- Stockport edge the wins over the Gills by 15 wins to 13 and a further 14 games were drawn including both matches last season. However, Stockport have not seen a victory over the Gills in 12 league and cup games since last winning in August 2000 (the Gills won 6 of them).
- The Gills are unbeaten in 7 league and cup trips to Stockport since last losing there in September 1996. The Gills won 4 of those 7, scoring 13 goals and conceding 5 with only 1 goal conceded in their last 3 visits.
- Stockport ended last season with the best goal difference in League 2. This was helped by having league best totals for fewest blank sheets (8) and by conceding just 13 goals in the first halves of their 46 league games.

(15:00) EFL Sky Bet League 2: Stockport County vs Gillingham FC - Kick Off [ 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 ]

(15.25) Nichols is picked out by Jefferies and he fires in a shot which flashes narrowly wide after a deflection. Nichols appeals for a penalty but the ref says it came off a teammate.

(15.39) Shaun Williams, on a yellow card, fouls a Stockport player. Play carries on and Turner pulls off a great save. The ref goes to Williams and gives him a second warning.

(15.40) A curling chipped shot from Malone fools everyone and lands on the roof of the net.

(15.45) The referee adds on 4 additional minutes (new timing procedures in place to cut down on time wasted during games).

(15.48) Stockport have a shot blocked then the following is blasted just over the bar.

(15.50) Half time 0-0

(16.06) The second half kicks off.

(16.15) A free header from a corner for Stockport is brilliantly blocked by Coleman.

(16.17) A fiercely driven shot from Nick Powell is a real test for Turner but he holds it comfortably. Moments later, the hosts flash a shot just wide of the goal.

(16.24) Following a yellow card already for Derren Ibrahim, Neil Harris also receives a yellow card.

(16.33) Under huge pressure from the hosts, the Gills go 5 at the back but add Nadesan to create a 2-man attack. Soon after Alexander gets forward and crosses. The 'keeper gets it behind and a corner is signalled by the assistant but the referee decides it is a goal kick.

(16.40) The Gills gift Stockport possession and powerful effort slams off the face of the crossbar.

(16.43) Malone has a really good opportunity to put the Gills ahead but his shot is brilliantly saved.

(16.48) GOAL! Stockport County 0-1 Gillingham: McKenzie

(16.52) The referee signals 8 additional minutes.

(16.58) Madden has the ball over the line but the assistant's flag is up for offside!

(17.01) Stockport catch Turner off his line but can only fire the shot into the side netting.

(17.02) FULL TIME: 0-1

Attendance: 9,116 (739)
Position: 7th
Referee: Ben Speedie
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKyfOYlxqHI
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66345830