Tuesday 19 January - F.A. Cup Third Round - Report by GillsConnect Man on the Terrace

D’OH!

Accrington are 11th in League Two winning five at home and losing five yet the Gills couldn’t break down their defence that had let in 18 goals in ten matches at the Crown Ground.

Stanley had not played since losing to Bury on December 28, with their tie against the Gills postponed twice and the League Two clashes against Lincoln and Rotherham were also called off due to the freezing weather conditions and a waterlogged pitch. However, they looked the fresher of the two teams and deserved their victory.

On the other hand, aimless in action, slow in thought and movement, little idea of threatening goal and getting the ball to our lone striker - Gills finished a first half of football that was possibly the worst I’ve seen from Stimson’s boys away from Priestfield.

Gills boss Mark Stimson reshuffled his squad with Kevin Maher and Rashid Yussuff both dropped from the team that lost 3-1 at Swindon on Saturday. Replacing them were young defender Tom Wynter (pictured left) and midfielder Curtis Weston.

Stimson’s words will come back to haunt him: “The squad we have got should be good enough to beat Accrington Stanley. “I hope whoever gets the shirt on Tuesday night wears it with pride, helps us get that first away win and a great cup draw at home to Fulham.”

Mark did receive some disappointing news during the day when he heard that Manchester United striker Febian Brandy had decided against staying with the Gills and instead opted to remain in Manchester.

First action was within seconds of the start when Stanley’s Grant, already with 13 goals to his credit this season, hit a 25 yard curling shot which just went wide past Julian’s left hand post.

Stanley’s “up and at them attitude” was causing Gills some anxious moments in the opening minutes especially as they had the wind in their favour with some of Bouzanis goal kicks going past Julian on the bounce.

There was no real quality in the opening exchanges but plenty of long ball and energetic running interspersed with some long range shooting on sight from the Stanley forwards who are showing more purpose and forcing the pace.

Brilliant move from Accrington who carved open the Gills down the right when the ball was turned into the box Tom Wynter just managed to put off the lively Robert Grant (right) who shot just over the bar when he probably should have done better.

Good possession by Stanley who are ruling the midfield exchanges showing the Gills how to do it and passing the ball well on a cold windy night.

Four or five good chances for Stanley in the first 20 minutes and Gills very lucky not to be behind in this match. It took another two minutes for Gills to have their first shot on target when Chris Palmer showed his team mates how.

Accrington showing the entire endeavor and forcing Gills back into their own half and often defending deep in their own penalty area. Gills are not competing in this match. Only one real Gills attack and only one shot on goal from a defender after 30 minutes is not good news.

Curtis Weston, Gills second top scorer, had to go off after 33 minutes due to a hip injury and Kevin Maher entered the fray from the subs bench.

Accrington can think themselves unlucky not to be a goal to the good following the first 45 but thankfully even with all their ball possession and pressure Alan Julian really didn’t have to make a save.  

Second period started with Gills looking a little more purposeful, which wouldn’t be hard in light of their earlier efforts, and put in a few attacking moves. Mark Bentley suddenly broke through the Stanley defence but goalie Bouzanis’s legs saved his shot.

Chris Palmer chipped the ball into the Stanley area and Dennis Oli (pictured right) was onto it in a flash and played it to his strike partner Simeon Jackson who went down following a tackle. Although there were a few shouts for a penalty it was rightly turned down by the referee.

The game entered a quiet period of play with midfield in ascendancy and little goalmouth action. It was apparent that Stanley were winning majority of the 50/50 ball chances and were still looking the team most likely to break the deadlock.

With Gills continuing to play deep, including the striker Dennis Oli, Simeon Jackson was more and more isolated up front. Manager Mark Stimson decided to ring the changes and introduced Mark McCammon for Dennis Oli on 65 minutes.

First booking of the night went to Mark Bentley who completed a “dying swan” dive for a penalty in the Stanley box after trying to reach a Mark McCammon header.

Minutes later the lively and very mobile James Ryan (pictured left) found Symes who shot toward the corner of the goal but Alan Julian dived and turned it away for a corner.

Good chance and a decent save but although the corner was cleared it came back straight away from Accrington as the game sprang into life.

Another move from manager Mark Stimson and a welcome sight returning from injury was Andy Barcham arriving from the Gills sub bench to replace Chris Palmer.

All the intent and moves were coming from Stanley as they pushed hard for the opening and possibly winning goal and with only ten minutes left disaster struck and Accrington scored.

The winning goal was from a low shot from an unchallenged John Miles that went low into the left hand corner past the diving Alan Julian who was well beaten.

The Gills didn’t deserve anything from the game and the better team won this F.A. Cup tie.

Former Gills favourite Andrian Pennock, now assistant manager at Stoke City, left the ground early and he must have been left wondering where have all the Gill’s players gone?

Accrington: Bouzanis, Kempson, Edwards, Winnard, Lees, Proctor, Grant, Ryan, McConville (Kee 72), Miles and Symes.

Accrington Subs not used: Turner, Mullin and Dunbavin.

Gills 4-4-2: Alan Julian, John Nutter, Josh Gowling, Tom Wynter, Barry Fuller, Stuart Lewis, Mark Bentley, Chris Palmer (Andy Barcham 76), Curtis Weston (Kevin Maher 33), Simeon Jackson and Dennis Oli.

Gills Subs not used : Simon Locke, Rashid Yussuff, Luke Rooney and Jack Payne.

Attendance: 1,332