Given all the problems in 2017 when the Gills struggled to win home games, whisper it quietly – they’ve got a 100% win record at home in 2018!
They’ve only played one game at headquarters since the turn of the year, but the way Steve Lovell’s side turned things round after going behind just before the half hour to a Rochdale side who end the weekend deep in trouble, in a way mirrors the club’s turn round since the Welshman took over.
Just a solitary defeat in the last eleven games have taken the Gills to 14th in the table with some ever optimistic of the Gills faithful, thinking that the promised land of the Play Offs are just nine points away!
And after Bradley Garmston stroked home a free kick just before the break to level things up and skipper Lee Martin brilliantly volleyed home lively sub Elliott List’s deflected cross, it could be said that maybe, just maybe, it’s not that ridiculous to be thinking like that!
But realistically, with only five points between Lovell’s men and the dreaded trap door, the boss will know that things can change for the worse just as quickly and that five-point cushion could be gone in a week.
Unlike many games at Priestfield this season, you felt that this would be the Gills’ day and they started accordingly – Scott Wagstaff’s shot was touched onto a post by keeper Lillis; the keeper then made an outstanding save to deny Mark Byrne after great combination from Martin and Garmston and Tom Eaves, who was involved in a titanic battle with Donervon Daniels all afternoon, raced onto a long clearance only to blaze just too high.
Rochdale struggled to get a foot hold and stunned Priestfield on 27 minutes when Andy Cannon was allowed far too much time and room as he approached the box before firing past the unsighted Tomas Holy.
Lovell was left shaking his head not only at the poor defending, but also because before Cannon picked the ball up, Eaves had been left in a heap on half way.
It was a lead that thankfully from a home perspective, didn’t last long. Rochdale full back Kgosi Ntlhe who had already been booked was penalised for dangerous play as his high foot caught Byrne and was perhaps fortunate not to receive a second card. He was though punished on the scoreboard as Martin rolled the free kick to Garmston who drilled the ball low into the corner of the net.
At half time, Lovell brought List into the fray in the place of the unfortunate Wagstaff, and immediately the Gills regained their attacking speed and prowess, but it was the visitors who could have gone back in front.
Calvin Andrew, whose battle with Max Ehmer was as intriguing as Eaves v Daniels at the other end, managed to flick on a long clearance for Matt Done, whose first time lob dropped onto the roof of the Gills net.
Did Garmston’s whipped cross at the other end see Martin pushed? The Gills skipper certainly thought so, but on 62 minutes Martin had the final say as he arrived just at the right time to volley home List’s invitingly deflected cross for his first goal for the club at home base.
Luke O’Neill was then unfortunate not to seal the points with a free kick that almost deceived everyone including keeper Lillis, before the Dale stopper managed to claw the ball away.
As time ticked by, Rochdale had a lot of the ball but didn’t really test Holy – indeed the closest they came to salvaging a point they didn’t really deserve, ironically fell to former Gill Billy Knott – making his Dale debut from the bench after signing from Lincoln – who slammed high over after getting on the end of great knock down from Andrew.
Six unbeaten for Steve Lovell’s Blue and White Army and with twenty-three points taken from the last twelve games and just that late defeat at Plymouth on the debit side, could it be, could it be that Lovell’s Welsh magic has finally seen the Gills turn the corner…
Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Ehmer, Zakuani, Garmston (Ogilvie 69), Wagstaff (List H/T), Byrne, Hessenthaler, Martin, Parker, Eaves.
Subs not used: Nelson, Lacey, Nugent, Oldaker, Wilkinson.
Goals: Garmston (41), Martin (63).
Booked: Eaves (77).
Rochdale line up: Lillis, Daniels, McNulty, Ntlhe (Knott 70), Cannon, Camps, Kitching, Bunney (McGahey 84), Henderson, Done (Inman 71), Andrew.
Subs not used: Rafferty, Rathbone, Moore, Adshead.
Goal: Cannon (27).
Booked: Ntlhe (7), Camps (75), Cannon (87).
Referee: Mr Lee Swabey
Attendance: 4,352 (109 Rochdale).