League

Congleton
Spectators: 7513 (Terracing: 5657, Seating: 1734, VIP seats: 122) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Verne Ryder started the match with the kick off. Bradley Welch fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 6th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Silvester Robson having to interfere. Martin Murtagh hit a great freekick 7 minutes into the match. An unexpectedly hard shot by Sammy Cornish in the 15th minute of play forced Congleton's goalkeeper Denis Rothwell to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. After 27 minutes of play, Gillingham's Rupert Dunne made it 0-1 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Denis Rothwell was left in no man's land by his defense there! Laurence Chiverton received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 31st minute. Denis Rothwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Nick Ring during the 42nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. After 41 minutes of play, the referee blew the whistle. It was a penalty for Congleton! In the 46th minute Laurence Chiverton shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Denis Rothwell saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. After the first half Gillingham were leading 0-3. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

Laurence Chiverton scored 0-4 in the 54th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Denis Rothwell, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. Rupert Dunne sent away a hard shot on goal in the 58th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Silvester Robson showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Bradley Welch in the 65th minute of the match. After 66 played minutes Gillingham got a freekick which was hit by Martin Murtagh. After having played for 71 minutes, Laurence Chiverton managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Gillingham's supporters crossed their fingers, but Laurence Chiverton was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Rupert Dunne received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 74th minute. Denis Rothwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Verne Ryder fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 80th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Silvester Robson having to interfere. When Laurence Chiverton fell near the penalty area in the 83rd minute he thought he would be awarded a free kick. The referee ignored Gillingham's protests and gave Laurence Chiverton a yellow card for diving instead. After 83 played minutes Gillingham got a freekick which was hit by Laurence Chiverton. The attack was good, but when Verne Ryder in the 85th minute was about to shoot he didn't kick quite good enough and the ball went high over goal. The supporters of Gillingham booed when Congleton was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 88 match minutes in a wonderful position. Verne Ryder didn't get a good kick on the ball. The away crowd were delighted with the way their team had played and cheered loudly when the final whistle sounded. Gillingham walked away with the win, even though the match was close until the end.