EBBSFLEET v GILLS

[iblue]

FIRST HALF Team: Nelson; Egan; McDonald;McGlashan;Norris; Davies;Hare; Dikenson; McKain; Barrett (captain) and Borrowdale

Subs:G. Morris; Martin; Hause;Legge; Loft; Hessenthaler;Kedwell; German; A. Morris; Dack and Alex Brister

30 minutes gone and still 0-0 - very few chances and pretty boring so far

[iblue]

Miserable day and a miserable match - the Gills are getting a good run-out and keeping fitness levels up but for the spectator it's not good. Ebbsfleet have had a few good tries but lack any penetration but unfortunately this first half Gills team is not a lot better. Best chance fell to Cody McDonald who sadly failed to find the target. Cannot remember him scoring at all in this pre-season. Nice corner from Hare and an effort from Egan to finish half.

Half-Time 0-0

[iblue]

Gills first day opponents MK Dons are in 'total control' away at Brackley Town winning 0-2 at half-time. Still you shouldn't put too much emphasis on pre-season should you?

[iblue]

Second half will have all eleven 'Gills 'failures' off and all the subs are on. Let's hope for a better second period as Redfern Avenue will not be that busy on 16 August

[iblue]

At last some action before the hour mark as Kedwell and Dack show some skill and combine together but Bradley's shot plucked out of the air by goalie Edwards. Dack has livened the proceedings and at least this Gills X1 look like they want to win the game. Still no goals though as we pass the 60 minutes mark.

[iblue]

The Gills look sluggish with no 'flow' and remind me of a bunch of idividuals (especially in first half) trying too hard - too much puff and not enough skill. Makes any Gills fan wonder what on earth the players do on the training pitch. It certainly is not 'set pieces' or practicing free-kicks. There is something lacking in the basics but there again perhaps I'm asking too much of our League One players. At times this afternoon you wouln't know the difference between non-league and League One. MK Dons have just gone 0-3 up at Brackley.

[iblue]

80 minutes gone still 0-0 - Hessenthaler corner but Kedwell headed over when in good position. Let's hope these near misses find the net at MK Dons next Saturday.

[iblue]

Full Time: Ebbsfleet 1 v GILLS 0 (the Ebbsfleet prolific striker Charlie Sheringham scored on 86 minutes) Dack lost the ball it was pushed to Sheri who made no mistake.

At least the tea was warm but this game will be easily lost in the memory. On this showing the Gills players might have gained some fitness but they are not 'match sharp' and although boss Peter Taylor said that he fancies Gills chances this season in League One - on this showing and their last three pre-season outings it looks unlikely unless there is a vast improvement. Gills are still giving away soft goals and worryingly they also look in very short supply from their strikers. Poor performance from Gills but no doubt Peter Taylor has everything in hand.

Just to cap a perfect day - MK Dons put another past Brackley and finish their pre-season with a 1-4 win.

[statotheblue]

Thanks for the up dates i blue.I wanted to go today but still to much on at home after a few weeks away.Result not good at all.Time for Taylor to give someone the armband.Do they not know they will have to work a lot harder in the next few weeks.Time Taylor,Hess andbthe new skipper kicked some but.

SORRY LADS HOLIDAY CAMP IS OVER.THE REAL WORK STARTS NOW.

[muppet]

As said before and as you have pointed out iblue, until a reasonably set 11 play together it will always turn out like that with the players playing as individuals. The last 2/3 games should have been with what pt feels is his best team so they can learn each other's games, especially in view if the number of new players. Other players should be given the last 20/30 mins to then impress and put themselves into contention. I just hope he has now decided his team and they spend time playing together in practice matches on the training ground until they gel - only time will now tell!!

[muppet]

Onto another game, just been to see an international team play and cost me only a fiver to get in. Ok appreciate only guernsey playing billericay town, the latter winning 1-0, but hey another ground visited and also filled my need for some footy. If you ever get to see billericay play, check out their no.9, as big as bayo but nowhere near the same class, also bayos shirt fits him a lot better than their guys, enough to put you off your pint, well nearly!!

[terryjolleysboot]

At the mo sounds like I made a mistake getting my Mk tickets for next week!
Sounds frustratingly like the Taylor organisation of last season!

[superblues]

Now I know why I don't bother with pre-season games but I thought I'll give it a go....!! The first half was shocking with the creative know how of Mckain and Davies not quite running the show! It was a nice touch that the Gills bench gave a supporter a game at left back for the the first half something that us Gills fans dream of. The second half was not as shocking but a slightly lesser adjective, pathetic maybe, but seasons aren't determined in pre-season so here's hoping....come on you Gills

[statotheblue]

Nice to have you back superblues.Can you tell me more about this supporter that played today??
Did anyone play well today?
Bit of a worry as I think confidence will be a really big factor this season.With such a young side.But did we not have a season when we won all the pre season games then did really badly??

[superblues]

The 'supporter' didn't have a name on his shirt but I assume it was Borrowdale!! Nothing happened in a nothing game. Hause didn't look too bad 2nd half but apart from that I'm afraid it was totally irrelevant and a complete waste of time and money. I know it's difficult to criticize forwards when they have no decent service but if it didn't say 'Norris' on the back of his shirt I thought he was another 'supporter' that had his dream come true!!