[ 19 Sep 26 ] GILLS v Bristol Rovers Match Thread

[Garawa]

- Draws are uncommon between the Gills and Bristol Rovers with just 21 in 112 meetings. There has been just 4 in the previous 23 fixtures between the sides, all coming at the Memorial Ground. Rovers edge the wins by 47 victories to the Gills' 44.
- Both fixtures last season were won by the away side. Home and away, the Gills have won 3 of the previous 4 meetings with Rovers' win at Priestfield back in March ending a winless run of 4 games. Rovers have won 2 of the last 10 whilst the Gills have won 6.
- Bristol Rovers have won 2 of their previous 3 visits to Priestfield including this fixture last season. The other game was the Gills' previous home win back in February 2021. These 3 games followed 7 consecutive home wins for the Gills who scored 15 goals in the last 4 of those matches.
- After Bristol Rovers lost their opening 2 matches of this season in all competitions, they have won 4 of the 6 games since. These came after an unbeaten end to last season of 9 games with 8 consecutive wins and just 1 defeat in their final 14 games (11 wins).
- Bristol Rovers have faced the fewest shots on target in League 2 (15) and their difference of 16 more shots on target taken than faced is the best difference in the division. Rovers have also had the most shots off target or blocked (74).
- Bristol Rovers have won 50 fouls this season and only Swindon have won fewer. The most they have won in any league game is 9, a total they have had in 4 of their 6 league games and each of the last 3. The Gills conceded 8 against Tranmere after 10 was their fewest this season.
- Despite being in 2nd place, Bristol Rovers have conceded 8 goals in League 2. They have conceded from 53.3% of all shots on target they have faced in the league making them the most vulnerable to opposition shots being converted.
- Until their 0-2 defeat at the weekend, Bristol Rovers were joint top scorers in League 2 with 12 goals scored. Their blank sheet was their first in 14 league matches from which they had scored 31 goals.
- Bristol Rovers have been ahead for longest in League 2 - a total of 255 minutes from their 6 league games home and away. At home, the Gills have been behind for just 9 minutes this season and for just 39 minutes in their previous 6 home league games.

[Sat 19th September 2026] EFL Sky Bet League 2: Gillingham FC v Bristol Rovers
Opposition Manager: Steve Evans. Matchday Team: Brad Young, Tom James, Kofi Balmer, Clinton Mola, Shaw Forde (Reiss Russell-Denny), Bobby Kamwa (Fabrizio Cavegn), Jack Aitchison, Ben Purrington, Ciaran Kelly, Ellison Harrison (Joe Quigley), [c] Richie Smallwood
Opposition League Position: Sky Bet League 2 (2nd)
Referee: Sunny Sukhvir Gill
Attendance: 5,947 (634)

(15.00) Kick Off [ 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 ]
(15.07) Bristol Rovers have a series of half chances that could have ended differently but also not really testing Wright.
(15.24) In a good position on the edge of the box, McKenzie blazes over.
(15.31) Waldock has a couple of chances to create a scoring opportunity and Hale forces a good save from an angle that favoured a goal.
(15.43) Freeman floats a ball into the box. It catches McKenzie by surprise and he heads over from a good position.
(15.45) At least 3 minutes will be added.
(15.48) Half time 0-0

(16.04) The second half kicks off.
(16.06) A good chance for the Gills ends with McKenzie shooting just wide following great work from Hale.
(16.14) GOAL! Gillingham FC 1-0 Bristol Rovers: Brophy
(16.16) Purrington probably should have equalised for the visitors but Wright makes a point blank save.
(15.41) The Gills make a double change, introducing Kendall and Luxton.
(16.43) GOAL! Gillingham FC 2-0 Bristol Rovers: Kendall
(16.47) GOAL! Gillingham FC 3-0 Bristol Rovers: Kendall
(16.49) The 4th official signals for a further 6 minutes.
(16.55) How did Goodwin not score? He goes through on goal, the 'keeper advances and Goodwin shoots towards the empty net. It strikes a small part of Young's arm and bounces narrowly wide of the post.
(16.56) FULL TIME 3-0

Gills' League Position After Game: 4th
Match Report: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cq99d7dpe7v7t
Match highlights: