Previewing the Gills

21 March 2024

It’s 12th versus 10th in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday when Gillingham travel to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

The Shrimps will hope to bounce back following defeat last Sunday against Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium. Two goals either side of the break for the hosts courtesy of Connor McLennan and Callum Hendry saw City two up before a Theo Vassell own goal halved the deficit. With 11 minutes of normal time remaining, Curtis Tilt headed home from a corner to wrap up all three points for Karl Robinson’s men.

The Gills dropped points in their last outing with a 1-1 home draw against Grimsby Town. Donovan Wilson opened the scoring for the Mariners before, two minutes later, George Lapslie responded with a quick-fire equaliser.

Morecambe’s last win over the Kent side came in October 2011 thanks to goals from Garry Hunter and Kevin Ellison. Frank Nouble converted a 90^th minute penalty which proved to be little more than a consolation.

The Opposition

After a strong start to the campaign which saw maximum points from the opening four games, Gillingham sacked manager Neil Harris at the beginning of October following three games in a row without a win.

Stephen Clemence took over just under a month later and has taken charge of 27 games to-date, winning 10, drawing seven and losing 10; picking up 37 points which averages out at 1.37 points-per-match. Heading into Saturday’s clash, the Gills sit 10^th in League Two on 39 points.

Key Players

Defender Conor Materson is their leading scorer at the time of writing with six goals, all of which have come in League Two. Beginning his career at Lucan United in the Republic of Ireland, the 25-year-old made the switch to Liverpool’s youth setup in 2015. He remained with the Anfield side until 2019 where he left the U23s to link up with QPR. Various loan spells followed with Swindon Town, Cambridge United and Gillingham before a permanent switch to the Priestfield Stadium followed in the summer of 2023.

A familiar name to Shrimps fans is that of goalkeeper Jake Turner. The 25-year-old goalkeeper spent the first half of the 2020/21 promotion-winning season on loan at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium before returning to Newcastle United U23s in the January. This season, Turner has kept a clean sheet in a third of the League Two matches he has featured in (11/33).

Stephen Clemence's Pre-Match Thoughts

Speaking to GillinghamFootballClub.com, manager Stephen Clemence assessed the Shrimps.

He said: "It will be tough, they've had a good season. Their results have obviously not been quite as good lately, but they had a really good run just after Christmas.

"They've got some good players, but so have we. I know our boys will be really looking forward to it.

"As I say, [we're] one point off the play-offs, if you can't be looking forward to a game like this, there's something wrong with you.

"We'll be right up for it, it's about us and how we take our game to them."

The Man in the Middle

Paul Howard will take charge of Saturday’s encounter and will be joined by assistants Alan Clayton and Callum Gough as well as fourth official Simon Clayton.

Howard’s last Morecambe match came in October last year where the Shrimps overcame Tranmere Rovers by one goal to nil on home soil.

This season to-date, Howard has issued 111 yellow cards in 30 games as well as four reds.

Team News

Long-term absentees Stu Moore, Donald Love, JJ McKiernan and Brandon Barker remain side-lined for this weekend’s game.

Watch Live!

Dave Salmon and goalkeeper Stu Moore will be providing full-match commentary of Saturday’s clash – you can watch the match live with an iFollow Shrimps video match pass for £10!

Match Reports

Morecambe defeated by Gillingham

23 March 2024

Gillingham came from behind twice before scoring a late winner to claim all three points at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

Jordan Slew opened the scoring on 11 minutes before Oliver Hawkins equalised seven minutes later as the score remained level at the break.

Charlie Brown fired the Shrimps ahead for the second time midway through the second half with Timothée Dieng levelling proceedings once more with just over 15 minutes of normal time to play.

Four minutes before the 90, Connor Mahoney scored the winner for the visitors.

It was a bright start from the visitors who thought they were ahead through Hawkins in the seventh minute, however the offside flag cut the celebrations short.

Slew put the Shrimps ahead after Charlie Brown won the ball down the right-hand side and drove into the middle. He then picked out the run of our number 11 who opened up his body and made no mistake, side-footing the ball into the bottom-right corner.

Seven minutes later, Hawkins got his goal at the second time of asking for Gillingham as Remeao Hutton crossed the ball into the box and, while Archie Mair was able to push away the initial danger, the rebound fell to the striker who converted from close range.

Both sides came close around the half hour mark; Dave Tutonda was played down the left before his low cross was cleared for a corner. At the other end, the Gills were awarded a free-kick to the right of goal, and Mair did well to turn the shot over the bar.

Four minutes before half time, Ged Brannan's men nearly regained their lead after Slew drove past a number of Gillingham bodies before firing a shot which nearly nestled in the top corner, but the wind carried the ball onto the roof of the net.

Half-time: Morecambe 1 Gillingham 1

The Shrimps made a bright start to the second half as Joe Adams and Slew played some lovely football down the left wing before latter's shot from the edge of the box was blocked.

Almost immediately after, Morecambe were on the attack again, forcing Gillingham's goalkeeper into a huge save as Slew looked to head the ball home from close-range.

After continuing to apply the pressure, Morecambe's persistence paid off in the 64th minute; After an initial cross found Garner, who saw a shot blocked, the loose ball fell to Brown who bundled it in at the back post.

The away side pegged Morecambe back once more nine minutes later when Dieng took aim from distance, his shot looping over Mair and finding its intended target.

With time running out, Gillingham took the lead for the first time in the game through Mahoney. His strike from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection before hitting the back of the net.

Full-time: Morecambe 2 Gillingham 3

Morecambe: Mair, Tutonda, Bedeau ©, Adams (Edwards, 76’), Garner, Senior, Slew, Stokes, Taylor, Brown (Hiwula, 89’), Khumbeni.

Subs not used: A Smith, Songo’o, Larsson, C Smith, Harrack.

Goals: Jordan Slew (11’), Brown (64’),

Bookings: Brown, Slew, Khumbeni.

Red cards: None.

Gillingham: Morris, Clark (Malone, 68’), Ehmer ©, Lapslie (Clarke,79’), Williams (Walker, 59’), Hawkins (Andrews,79’), McKenzie (Coleman, 68’), Ogie, Mahoney, Hutton, Dieng.

Subs not used: Turner, Masterson.

Goals: Hawkins (18’), Dieng (73’), Mahoney (85’).

Bookings: Malone, Coleman.

Red cards: None.

Attendance: 3,408 (208 away).

Ticket News

Back Brannan's men when the Gills come to town!

11 March 2024

Gillingham travel to the Mazuma on 23 March and tickets are now available!

Ticket Prices

	Standing	Seating
Adult	£20	£25
Concession	£15	£20
Young Adult 18-22	£10	£15
Junior 14-17	£5	£7
Child 2-13*	£3	£5

*All children between the ages of two and 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged over 18.

We do not permit entry of children under the age of two, or prams and pushchairs, into the stadium bowl.

Tickets can be bought online, in-store at our Club Shop and over the phone by calling 01524 411797 and selecting option three.

Supporters have up until kick-off (15:00) on matchday to secure their tickets, with refund requests available until 17:00 on Friday 22 March.

Those requiring a wheelchair space are advised we do have a limited number available. To book, visit us in-store and pay the relevant admission price before receiving a complimentary carer ticket.

With the run in drawing ever closer, your support is more important than ever - get yourselves down to the Mazuma, be loud and be proud!