Robbie McKenzie’s wonder strike stunned League Two leaders Walsall as Gillingham at last showed new boss John Coleman that they could run through cardboard walls after all for their new manager!
After Coleman’s blast at the weekend following his side’s 3-0 reverse at Barrow where he claimed that whilst he wanted his teams to run through brick walls, his new charges couldn’t run through cardboard ones, the Gills finally showed the new boss a sense of desire and purpose that has been sadly lacking for some time.
Coleman made three changes from the weekend and gave Armani Little the captain’s armband with Max Ehmer retaining his central defensive position next to Sam Gale and Andy Smith, and ironically, it was to be Ehmer who had the night’s first chance as he powerfully headed Little’s free kick at Walsall keeper Tommy Simkin.
League leaders Walsall struggled against a resurgent Gills and their best chance in the opening quarter from Evan Weir saw the ball disappear high into the crowd.
The Gills goal wasn’t really threatened except for a couple of vicious inswinging corners late in the half that they just about dealt with before Joe Gbode had a chance late in the half with a header that didn’t really test Simkin.
Walsall showed why they head the division as they roared out of the blocks after the break and were ahead on 49 minutes, all be it fortunately, as Jamille Matt diverted Connor Barrett’s wayward shot past a helpless Glenn Morris and into the net.
The Gills were rattled and for a few minutes looked vulnerable but then with just over 20 minutes to go, McKenzie let fly from fully twenty-five – maybe even thirty – yards and the ball flew over Simkin crashed off the underside of the bar and into the leader’s net.
It could have been even better when Elliott Nevitt appeared to be brought down by a defender after hesitation from the home keeper, but after a long look, referee Parsons waved away the appeals of players and fans alike.
Gillingham had an even louder appeal for a spot kick in the game’s closing stages. Little’s shot was blocked and in the ensuing scramble, sub-Oli Hawkins went down but again Mr. Parsons wasn’t interested.
After all their recent misfortunes, the 200 Gills fans who made the trip to the Midlands must have feared the worst in stoppage time as Walsall sub-Danny Johnson lobbed the advanced Morris and after what must have seemed like an eternity to the travelling fans, the ball dropped onto the roof of the net and the point was coming back to Kent.
So, after taking a fully deserved point off the League leaders in midweek, could the faithful actually get what they now crave the most – a win for the new boss to end the winless run when Crewe Alexandra visit MEMS Priestfield at the weekend?
WALSALL – Simkin, Barrett, L. Gordon, McEntee, Matt (Amantchi 89), J. Gordon (Harrison 55), Jellis (Johnson 85), Williams, Stirk, Okagbue, Weir.
Subs not used – Hornby, Lakin, Comley, Adomah.
Goal: Matt (49).
Booked: Okagbue (6), Williams (43), Jellis (58), Barrett (59).
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Smith, Ehmer, Gale, Max Clark, McKenzie, Little, Corness (Nolan 73), Nevitt (Morgan 85), Gbode (Hawkins 73).
Subs not used – Turner, Ogie, Dack, Jayden Clarke.
Goal: McKenzie (68).
Booked: Hutton (59), Corness (62).
REFEREE – Mr. Thomas Parsons
Attendance: 6229
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.