Charlie Kelman’s first goal for The Gills proved pivotal as they secured three massive points at relegation rivals Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
When Neil Harris was appointed on January 31st, Gillingham were ten points from the League One relegation trap door and staring League Two in the face. Incredibly just forty days later courtesy of Charlie Kelman’s first goal for the club as he reacted quickest in the opening seconds to get on the end of Ryan Jackson’s long throw, silenced the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, and now unbelievably, only goal difference now separates the Gills from two clubs who tonight are “safe”!
Where there was despair, there is now hope, genuine hope that with nine games left, Kent’s only Football League side may actually survive in the third tier.
For Pontus Dahlberg, it was a triumphant return to Yorkshire as he had spent the early season in the Rovers goal before he replaced Jamie Cumming as he took the place of injury victim Aaron Chapman in three changes from the side beaten by Bolton as Olly Lee came in for the suspended Dan Phillips.
The third change saw Kelman start instead of Mussie Carayol, and within the opening minutes, the on-loan striker repaid Harris’ faith as he swept home Jackson’s long throw to send the travelling fans from Kent wild.
Incredibly, the Gills almost doubled their lead inside the opening five minutes as Lee’s free kick caused mayhem in the Rovers box as it went narrowly wide after coming off at least one, if not two defenders.
The great start continued as Vadaine Oliver was next to go close but his header – from a Jackson delivery – was blocked, before the big striker got on the end of another huge Jackson throw but couldn’t direct his header wide of keeper Jonathan Mitchell.
It was Jackson’s turn next to go close as he forced Mitchell into a good save in possibly his best period since returning to Priestfield, but fortune then turned against him as he was forced off before the break with a leg injury.
The hosts came out after the break and desperately went in search of an equaliser and began to force the Gills back. Dahlberg comfortably dealt with Charlie Seaman’s shot, before producing a top drawer save to deny Tommy Rowe, whilst Ethan Galbraith did get the ball past the flying Swede but luckily for the Gills his effort beat the post as well.
Ten minutes from time, Rowe went even closer with a low drive which looked destined for the bottom corner but somehow missed before Dahlberg pulled off a wonderful block to deny Josh Martin and was relieved to see Jackson’s replacement – David Tutonda – hammer the ball into touch, and despite extra minutes of “Fergie-time”, the Gills held on for a vital three points in their fight for League One survival.
Nine games to go, and it’s now a genuine shootout between six clubs – maybe seven – looking for three places of safety above the trap door. After their fourth win under the new manager, maybe, just maybe…
Gillingham’s win lifts them to 21st in League One, level on points with AFC Wimbledon above them, but crucially have an inferior goal difference of ten goals.
Manager Neil Harris will hope to harness the feel good factor for long enough to take his troops to The Valley on Tuesday night as they take on local rivals Charlton Athletic.
Win there and the dream of staying up is very much a reality.
Doncaster Rovers: Mitchell, Knowle, Olowu, Williams, Rowe, Jackson (Smith 27), Seaman (Barlow 76), Dodoo (Hiwula 76), Martin, Galbraith, Odubeko.
Subs not used: Jones, Bostock, Gardner, Agard.
Booked: Galbraith (97).
Gillingham: Dahlberg, Jackson (Tutonda 41), Tucker, Ehmer, Masterson, McKenzie, O’Keefe, Lee, Thompson, Kelman (Chambers 74), Oliver.
Subs not used: Chapman, Maghoma, Lintott, Dickson-Peters.
Goal: Kelman (1).
Referee: Anthony Backhouse
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.