Gillingham are back in League Two action on Saturday evening when they take on Crawley Town at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
The Gills go into the game seventh in the table, just inside the playoff places, with last Saturday’s victory away at Bristol Rovers a welcome relief after having lost four of their previous five games.
Max Clark’s second-half volley combined with a strong defensive performance to give the Gills their first win since 20th September.
On Tuesday night, Gillingham went out of the Vertu Trophy losing 0-3 at home to Wycombe Wanderers. The line up included several changes with only Remeao Hutton and Nelson Khumbeni keeping their starting places from the Bristol Rovers game.
Crawley make the 55-mile journey to Priestfield, currently sitting in 19th place, but having recently secured back-to-back league wins against Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers which pulled them out of the relegation zone.
Crawley manager Scott Lindsey is no stranger to Kent, having played 12 games for Gillingham in the 94-95 season, alongside spells with Dover Athletic, Sittingbourne, Ashford Town, Gravesend & Northfleet, Welling United, Folkestone Invicta and Maidstone United.
Crawley are relatively familiar opponents for the Gills, having faced them in the previous two league seasons. Last season, both League Two games were won by the away team with Gillingham winning 0-1 at the Broadfield Stadium in August, and Crawley winning 0-2 at Priestfield on Boxing Day.
Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth has hinted that Armani Little and Jonny Williams may be in contention for selection and says he is expecting an attacking game from both sides.
With Gillingham’s return to winning ways and Crawley’s two recent victories pulling them out of the relegation zone, there is every reason to believe Ainsworth’s prediction.
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.