Saturday 6 March - League Division One - Report by GillsConnect Man on the Terrace

Huddersfield came off the back of a 5-0 drubbing at Southampton on Tuesday night and their manager Lee Clark obviously had them fired up for the game. Perhaps too fired up, as the Terriers were ready for a battle that showed in the early on-field exchanges.

It all went wrong for Huddersfield and manager Lee Clark as five Terriers were booked and one sent off in a fiery match that they never looked like winning.

As early as the fourth minute Terrier’s goalie Alex Smithies (left) was in trouble with the referee after fouling Simeon Jackson when well out of his area.

As Simeon had a clear run on the Town End goal there were furious calls for a red card and sending off from the Priestfield crowd, but match referee Fred Graham only gave a stern warning and produced a yellow.

Gills were out the blocks faster and with more purpose then just spoiling their opponent’s tactics and could have easily had a goal before Sponsors Man of the Match Simeon Jackson scored the first of his double strikes.

Rene Howe should have scored in the first few minutes when twice forcing quick saves and Simeon also went close raising the Priestfield crowd expectations. 

Seven minutes were on the clock when Adam Miller blocked a Robbie William’s clearance and his pass set up Simeon (pictured right).

This was a delightful goal as Simeon cut in from the right and from the corner of the area hit a tremendous shot with his left, which beat Alex Smithies low down at his left hand post.

The Gills were looking dangerous and very nearly extended their lead when two Andy Barcham efforts plus a firm header from Garry Richards, stretched the Huddersfield defence and goalie.

A few tackles were flying in dangerously at this point and the Terriers manager Lee Clark was urging his players with a bewildering array of hand signals and shouting from the dug-out.

Any real chance of Huddersfield getting into the game were dashed after 26 minutes when Stuart Lewis, deputizing for captain Barry Fuller at right back, was brought down by a horrendous two-footed tackle.

The challenge looked serious and it was several minutes before Stuart was able to continue. Click for video

The referee gave a straight red to Nathan Eccleston (left) who is on loan from Liverpool and the Huddersfield player made the long walk past furious Gills fans in the Medway Stand.

Despite being a player up the Gills struggled to find rhythm for the remainder of the half and gradually Huddersfield came more into the game. Garry Richards almost scored an own goal when he was at full stretch and diverted Anthony Pilkington’s cross just past Julian’s post and minutes later was in action again blocking Lee Novak’s shot destined for the bottom corner.

However, all hope was removed for the Terriers within seconds of the second half re-start. From the kick-off Rene Howe (right) who had a good game, flicked on a ball for Simeon Jackson to chase.

Despite his shirt being pulled by the defender Simeon outpaced the defence to race into the Rainham End penalty area. Simeon’s finish was an emphatic shot, which gave Smithies no chance for his and Gills second.

Terrier’s manager Lee Clark was apologetic and threw his half time cuppa down in disgust as presumably he had given a half-time talk to boost his players into not making mistakes.

Huddersfield did come back into the game following Lee Clark’s substitutions, as first Theo Robinson had a goal disallowed for offside following a free kick that was not cleared by the Gills defence. Terrier’s fellow sub Gary Roberts ran unopposed onto the edge of the box and his crisp shot hit the post with Alan Julian well beaten.

Gills had their chances too in the second period and with more luck and composure Simeon Jackson could have had a deserved hat trick. Substitute Dennis Oli, ran on strongly down the left and put in a great cross which Andy Barcham dummied leaving Simeon Jackson to shoot for his hat trick, but Alax Smithies pushed the ball away at the second attempt.

In the final analysis Gills should have beaten Huddersfield by more than the two Simeon Jackson goals as both Rene Howe and Andy Barcham missed golden chances and the Terriers could not have complained if the score line was 3 or 4 to zip.

Gills Team: Alan Julian, Stuart Lewis, Garry Richards, Darren Dennehy, John Nutter, Adam Miller, Curtis Weston, Danny Jackman, Andy Barcham, Simeon Jackson, Rene Howe (Dennis Oli 73 minutes)

Unused Subs: Simon Royce, Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Chris Palmer, Chris Dickson and James Walker

Huddersfield: Smithies, T Clarke, Williams (Robinson 74 minutes), P Clarke, Trotman, Eccleston, Pilkington (Roberts 61 minutes), Kay (Collins 54), Drinkwater, Rhodes, Novak

Unused Subs: Eastwood, Berrett, Pearce and N Clarke.

Attendance: 5,388