More importantly, in the words of St Stan, won this "a must win", the most important game of the season - so far.
|
Boosted by the return of The Skip, Steve Davis, back after a month's layoff, Clarets looked resolute at the back, NTG was rarely troubled throughout, and with King Arthur and Mitchell Thomas in defence, the Clarets were made of sterner stuff than of late. The midfield lacked Gazza, a sub. once again, so Grant and Ball formed the engine room supported by Briscoe and Little. Up front, Stan went for pace, Moore and Johnson carrying the low down threat to the aerial preferences of Gills' Ashby and Butters. The bench was warmed by Messrs Payton, Taylor, Armstrong, Gascoigne and Weller, Alan Moore and Robbie Blake among the wounded.
An impeccably honoured minute's silence was followed by forty five minutes of football that made the observation of drying paint look like an interesting pastime. Clarets confined much of their early play to long hopeful punts upfield, enabling the aforementioned Ashby and Butters to polish up on their heading clear skills. Add to this Gillingham's desire to walk after every loose ball, take their time with dead ball decisions and a referee intent on winding Stan up with every blow of his whistle and 3.45 came as welcome relief. There were moments of interlude, when passes and shots got in the way of a long yawn, but these were very few indeed.
Johnson missed the target after three minutes, when Briscoe's curled pass put him clean through and he had a header late in the half easily saved by a camouflaged Brown in Gills' goal, his grey top blending in with the perimeter wall, leading to premature celebrations. Davis had a couple of efforts charged down, so too did Little, Rose bravely blocking his goalbound volley. Down t'other end, Gills' had the more clear cut of the half chances, with former loan-Claret, Paul Shaw and very Iffy Onoura's pace in the counter attack, the main source of the opposing danger. Though both were close, NTG had to save neither of Onoura's efforts, and half time was greeted with muted applause, the half time scores from elsewhere doing little to cause optimism in the half time chit-chats.
The second half was a different affair, Clarets changing the style of play, looking to involve wide men Little and Briscoe much more, granting midfielders and defenders passing options and allowing Clarets to dominate the half. After only a minute, Grant, Little and Moore all found themselves in mis-kick city, allowing a goalmouth scramble to go unpunished, but it did bring the crowd to life as an atmosphere started to gather around three sides of the ground.
Ten minutes in and to welcome relief all round came the first goal. Little was going the wrong way before a neat turn and welcome wizardry saw him into the area and clipping a ball into the six yard box. An almighty scramble in the goalmouth finished with the ball in the net and whether the last touch was Ball's or Moore's, it mattered not, Mr Webster gave it and that is all that really mattered as Tom Hark bellowed out from the tannoy.
|
Clarets were now in the ascendancy, with many players entering the drive forwards. First Davis, after riding two challenges skewed his shot, with a better place Little screaming for the ball, before Ian Moore shot into the side netting after another solo run. In between, NTG was out quickly saving at the fee of an offside looking Shaw, before Ipuoa replaced Shaw, injured in the earlier challenge.
Johnson and Little combined well for Moore to have another shot, before Arthur had everyone on their feet, when his surging run from deep ended with a deft chip that just curled wide, Brown hopelessly beaten. The Clarets, with tension out of their game, were commanding and looked comfortable winners, the visitors rarely threatened, content to see the game out and other than a late chance scuffed by Onoura, their nil was never really in doubt. Roll on Grimsby.
Att:16,236
Star Gazer
Lee Briscoe. Clearly uncomfortable when asked to play left sided midfield, his distribution was poor and he generally failed in supporting the front men, whilst absent in aiding Mitchell Thomas. This is a role more suited for Paul Cook.
Glass Half Empty
Clarets were poor in the first half and needed to be thankful that Gillingham did not need the points, their role as party poopers confined to two years ago. In need of inspiration, only Tony Grant seemed capable of lifting the spirits of doom from our row, Glen Little unable to shine in the sun.
Star Geezer
Ian Moore. Yet another display of never ending energy, but his games recently have seen this energy constructively deployed, rather than wasted. Gills' defenders could not rest and his goal, if it was his, reflected his never say die approach.
Glass Half Full
Clarets were rewarded with the three points after a second half performance of qualities not seen at the Turf in recent months. Glen Little shone from the shade of his favoured right wing berth and in David Johnson we have a player who has a desire and the capabilities to score whenever he gets the ball.