Away from home at a ground you’ve never won at is hardly the game that Steve Evans’ threadbare squad could have wished for. But wishes are answered and for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century, Gillingham recorded a League win in Wigan.
The Gills travelled to the heartland of Rugby League knowing that their last six visits had ended in defeat and no League points at all had been brought back on the team bus to Priestfield from that part of Lancashire since Tony Pulis’ side won 4-1 at the Latics former Springfield Park home.
And early on it seemed that it would be another pointless trip as Joe Garner put the home side in front, but Jordan Graham’s second and third goals of the week and the season edged the Gills in front at the break, before Trae Coyle’s first League goal gave Evans’ side what proved to be a crucial cushion as despite Kai Naismith’s almost instant response to cut the lead, there was no way back and for the first time in 23 years, three points headed back to Kent from Wigan.
With Josh Eccles thrust straight into a League debut for the Gills after signing on loan after playing against them in midweek and not being able to fill the bench, the odds certainly were against the Gills but then if there’s one thing we’ve already learned from Evans’s side is that you underestimate them at your peril.
After Jack Tucker had denied Lee Evans with a great last gasp challenge, Solomon-Otabor missed a chance to give the home side an early lead before he turned provider for Garner who volleyed home from the edge of the box to give Wigan a 21st minute lead.
The Gills though responded almost immediately as Graham connected with a Vadaine Oliver flick before drilling the ball home past keeper Jones.
The Wigan keeper then kept his side level by keeping out Scott Robinson’s header – from Ryan Jackson’s cross – before the Gills did add a second and grab a half time lead. Again, it was Graham who found the net – a low shot into the bottom corner meant that within ten minutes Gillingham had turned the game on its’ head.
Graham thought he’d grabbed a first half hat trick as Jones saved magnificently from a corner.
It was the frame of the goal that denied the former Wolves man after the break as he struck the post directly from a corner, before just past the hour the Gills did make it three. Connor Ogilvie instigated the move, Oliver and Robertson combined and when the ball found its’ way to Coyle, the Arsenal loanee curled home a terrific Gillingham third.
Wigan rallied and Naismith prodded home a second from a corner, the alarm bells could have rang for the visitors, but the Gills young guns held firm and Jack Bonham wasn’t beaten again and the long, long wait for a Gillingham win in Wigan had come to an end.
After the game, Graham posted on his Twitter account, “it was a massive result for us today. Delighted to get off the mark in the League and add to the one against Coventry. It really was a massive team performance today and it showed what we’re all about.”
He then had a message for the Gills faithful, “Of course we’re missing you all – we really wanted you here to support us, but we know it’s not possible right now…”
The Gills now head for Championship Stoke City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday before it’s back to Priestfield next weekend for the visit of Blackpool.
WIGAN ATHLETIC – Jones, Pearce, Fox, Cameron, Naismith, Evans, Garner, Solomon-Otabor, Roberts (Crankshaw 90), Perry, James
Subs – Evans, Obi, Joseph, Merie, Jolley, Long
GILLINGHAM – Bonham, Jackson, Tucker, Ogilvie, Maghoma, Robertson, Eccles, Mellis (Willock 82), Coyle, Graham, Oliver (Akinde 84).
Subs – Walsh, Medley, McKenzie, Woods
REFEREE – T Nield