The width of a post in front of the Rainham End denied Lewis Walker a first Gillingham goal and Neil Harris’ side three encouraging points as Walsall once again left Priestfield with a result.
The Saddlers have now played eight games in Kent without defeat – a run that goes back fifteen years to September 2007 – and maintained that record after a game that offered much but delivered not much and ended in a goal-less stalemate.
On the plus side, this was a hard-earned point for the home side against a team who many fancy to challenge for League Two honours in May, but on the downside, it’s now just one League goal scored in five games… swings and roundabouts in early August perhaps, but concerns none the less!
The first half was disappointing for the near 4,000 crowd as neither keeper had a shot worthy of the name to save. Walsall did have a couple of chances but failed to trouble Gills keeper Glenn Morris.
The second half improved – thankfully – as did the Gillingham performance!
Saddlers’ keeper Owen Evans was called into action to keep out Max Ehmer’s shot as the central defender got a good effort off – from Mikael Mandron’s great lay off – as manager Harris’ half time words rang in the home players ears as the Gills upped the tempo.
But completely against the run of play, Walsall should have taken the lead just past the hour when a long hopeful ball into the Gills box wasn’t dealt with and Hayden White hit a post when he should really have broken the deadlock.
Stuart O’Keefe and Hakeem Adelakun had opportunities to give the home faithful something to cheer, but the closest they got came in the final minutes when Walker (on for Mandron) held off two defenders as he battled into the area and just managed to poke the ball past Evans. The Walsall keeper was a relieved young man to turn round to see the ball back in his arms as the shot bounced off the right post and away to Sadler safety!
It will be interesting to see how many changes Harris makes for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Exeter City before the long Bank Holiday weekend trip to Carlisle United next weekend when a familiar face lies in wait…
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Alexander, Wright, Ehmer, Baggott, Law (Tutonda 86), O’Keefe, Reeves, Adelakun (Kashket 73), Green, Mandron (Walker 86).
Subs not used – Turner, MacDonald, Lee.
WALSALL – Evans, White, Daniels, Monthe, Clarke, Knowles (Hutchinson 66), Comley, Kinsella, Maher (Bennett 58), Williams (Abraham 66), Johnson.
Subs not used – Przybek, James-Taylor, Earing, Clark.
Booked: Maher (46), Johnson (80), Daniels (91), White (94).
REFEREE – Mr Robert Madeley
Attendance: 3917
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.