[ 29 Dec 23 ] GILLS v Sutton Utd Match Thread

[Garawa]

- The Gills have met Sutton just 4 times previously, winning 2 and losing 2. The last 3 meetings have occurred last season and the reverse fixture this season which the Gills won. Before these games, the only previous meeting was a 3-9 home FA Cup loss in 1945.
- Sutton have conceded the most away goals in League 2 (33) and the most in total in the division (50). The Gills have scored the joint fewest home goals in League 2 (12) and the fewest in the division (19). Sutton's 2 league clean sheets is the also the fewest total.
- In league and cup games, Sutton started the season with 13 defeats in their opening 20 matches and just 3 wins, including an opening day 5-1 win over Notts County. Since then, they have won 4 and lost 3 of the 11 games including their 0-8 loss at Stockport.
- Sutton's Boxing Day 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon is their only league away win this season. It avenged their previous away match (a 0-8 loss at Stockport) and ended a winless run of 6 league games.
- Sutton have won 1 and lost 1 of their last 4 away league games and followed 7 consecutive away defeats at the start of the season. Their 1-0 win at AFC Wimbledon in their previous away game was their first away league win for 16 matches.
- Sutton's 72 shots on target is the lowest total in League 2 - 28.9% of all of their shots (also the worst accuracy rate in the division). They have taken 6 shots off target in each of their last 4 league games.

(19.48) EFL Sky Bet League 2: Gillingham FC v Sutton Utd - Kick Off [ 5 - 3 - 2 ]

(19.55) Nadesan breaks through on goal and appears to hit a shot wide across the 'keeper and the face of goal but the tips of the 'keepers fingers make a crucial touch. Corner.

(19.56) The Gills corner floats in and finds the head of Hawkins who heads just wide.

(20.05) The ball trickles loose in the centre of the Sutton penalty area. The Gills attack the ball and the player goes to ground but no penalty is awarded. It falls to Jonny Williams with the goal at his mercy but it hits an unsuspecting defender for a corner.

(20.12) 10 goal top-scorer Harry Smith has a couple of great chances, the second of which sees him glance a header wide when attacking a cross facing the goal.

(20.14) Red Card! A crunching 50/50 sees play on seconds before Harry Smith's double footed challenge on Max Ehmer results in a straight red.

(20.26) Hawkins header, destined for the far corner, is somehow palmed away by the 'keeper. It falls to Jonny Williams at the far post whose effort is blocked and it goes narrowly wide for a corner.

(20.33) There will be 5 additional minutes.

(20.36) Cross from Alexander towards Hawkins at the back post present a fantastic chance but his header goes over. Headed down and it's probably in.

(20.38) Half time 0-0 [50:03]

(20.56) The second half kicks off.

(21.14) Moments after a Gills triple change, a series of Gills chances see Sutton at full stretch and needing to block, clear and throw bodies on the line. Gills piling on huge pressure on camped on the edge of the box with 71% possession.

(21.15) Masterson floats a perfect ball to the far post. Hawkins at full stretch doesn't make contact with an empty net in front of him.

(21.21) Jayden Clarke works some space. Sutton clear but only as far as Coleman who has time to wait, collect the ball and strike on the half volley but he still lashes it slightly and it sails over the bar.

(21.22) GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Sutton Utd: Malone

(21.29) Jayden Clarke collects the ball after sweeping behind the defence. He dinks a ball perfectly for Hawkins but he heads straight at the 'keeper.

(21.41) The referee adds on 5 additional minutes.

(21.43) The Gills have a corner with no players in the box. The ball is played past the defender and Coleman sprints in, collects the ball and his deflects just wide for a corner.

(21.46) Sutton are gifted a late free kick. It is floated to the edge of the box. Turner collects and spills leading to a bit of a scramble before Mahoney runs away with the ball.

(21.46) FULL TIME 1-0 [100:33]

Attendance: 6,334 (309)
Position: 10th
Referee: David Rock
Match highlights:
BBC Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67798575