[ 3 Oct 23 ] Crewe Alexandra v GILLS Match Thread

[Garawa]

- Both the Gills and Crewe have each won 23 of the meetings and just 9 of the 55 matches between the sides have ended level, one of which was this corresponding fixture from last season also played at the start of October.
- The Gills have won 6 and lost just 1 of the last 8 meetings with Crewe but away at Crewe they are winless in 2 visits after 1-0 wins there in November 2020 and October 2015.
- The Gills have the most clean sheets in League 2 (5) and Crewe are 1 of 2 sides yet to keep one. They have conceded goals in 9 of the 10 league first halves, including letting in 2 goals before the break in 3 of those games, and the 12 conceded is the joint highest in the division.
- Crewe's 12 first half goals conceded is the joint highest in League 2 and their so too is their 18 second half goals scored, 16 more than the Gills have managed. They have a +13 goal difference in the second halves of their league games, the best record in the division.
- The Gills have conceded 9 league goals home and away whilst Crewe have conceded 8 in their 5 home league games. They are, however, unbeaten at home in 12 matches since last losing back in February and have won 9 and drawn 3.
- Crewe convert the most of their shots on target into goals of any side in League 2 with 52.2% of their 46 shots on target being scored. The Gills scored from 25.7% of their 35 shots on target, the second lowest conversion rate in the division behind Harrogate.

(19:45) EFL Sky Bet League 2: Crewe Alexandra v Gillingham FC - Kick Off [ 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 ]

(20.05) Ethan Coleman hits the post.

(20.09) Cheye Alexander tries a long shot which looks like it's heading for the top corner but drifts just wide.

(20.16) GOAL! Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Gillingham: O'Riordan

(20.22) Lapslie tests the keeper and goes in for the rebound which is cleared only as far as Coleman who smashes it hard but the keeper sends it out for a corner.

(20.26) McKenzie really tests the 'keeper who does well to parry the ball. It falls to Bonne with an empty net but he can't get his feet positioned correctly and misses the target.

(20.33) Half time 1-0

(20.49) The second half kicks off.

(21,04) The Gills have a series of chances which ends with Jefferies chipping over the bar. The ball just wouldn't fall kindly for the Gills who tried to play the perfect pass rather than hitting goalwards to really test the 'keeper.

(21.12) A flying header from Coleman, who throws his whole body at the ball, goes just wide.

(21.29) GOAL! Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Gillingham: White

(21.39) FULL TIME 2-0

Attendance: 3,427
Position: 8th
Referee: Daniel Middleton
Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v_pj3cb8O8
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66920605