A chance to put things right
After the disappointment of Accrington, Gillingham face a Port Vale side whose improving form belies their lowly league position
Originally published in Gills Journal by David Tickner.
After a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Accrington on Saturday, Gillingham have slipped to sixth in League Two. The visit of Port Vale on Tuesday evening offers a quick opportunity for Gareth Ainsworth’s side to respond.
Ainsworth delivered a particularly critical assessment of Saturday’s game describing his side’s opening defensive mistake as a ‘calamity’ and expressed his frustration at the two goals conceded from corners. He acknowledged that Accrington outworked Gillingham, winning more individual contests and second balls. Particularly concerning was his admission that his side had not looked capable of recovering and that he had been reminded ‘of some bad moments last season’.
Striking contrasts
Gillingham have shown in recent games that they can score freely but also concede avoidable goals. Port Vale’s problem has been almost the reverse. They have managed just five league goals in nine matches but arrive at Priestfield having recorded consecutive 1-0 league victories over Grimsby and Chesterfield. Including their EFL Trophy matches – a 2-0 victory over League One Mansfield and a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield - they are unbeaten in four competitive matches.
The question for Gillingham therefore is not just whether they can bounce back after Accrington. Can they break down a side whose attacking limitations – only five league goals so far - may see them adopt a cautious approach away from home? And can the Gills re-establish their defensive solidity against opponents discovering theirs?
Port Vale’s league position of 21st is potentially misleading. They have 11 points, five fewer than Gillingham but have played only nine matches – two fewer than the Gills. The interesting statistic is the contrast between Vale’s home and away records. Every one of their 11 points has been earned at Vale Park where they are unbeaten and have conceded only one goal. They have lost all four league away games and scored just once on their travels – at Swindon.
The most recent game between the two sides came in May 2025 at Vale Park when Gillingham won on the final afternoon of a season in which Vale celebrated promotion to League One under Darren Moore. Going into the game, Vale were already promoted and chasing the title, but Gillingham spoiled their final day party in front of 13,661 supporters when Aaron Rowe scored the game’s only goal after 56 minutes with a superb left-footed strike from distance. Doncaster Rovers took the league title. It was Gillingham’s 12th successive league match without defeat under Ainsworth – a sequence extended into the following season to a club record 21 games before ending in September 2025.
Gills also won the most recent game at Priestfield earlier in the campaign by the same 1-0 margin. Jayden Clarke came off the bench to head home a Conor Masterson cross in the 79th minute. It was a significant upset. Gillingham were seven games without a victory under Mark Bonner and ended the league leaders’ ten-match unbeaten league run. Gillingham twice defeated a side on its way to promotion that season yet could finish only 17th themselves.
During a difficult season for Port Vale in League One, Moore was dismissed in December 2025 and succeeded the following month by current manager Jon Brady. Relegation back to League Two was confirmed with three games remaining despite an impressive run to the FA Cup quarter finals.
All-action Ainsworth – club legend
To mark Port Vale’s 150th anniversary last season, supporters voted for the club’s all-time XI. Despite spending only 14 months at Vale Park, making 59 appearances and scoring 11 goals, Gareth Ainsworth earned a midfield place in that select team.
Ainsworth joined Vale from Lincoln City in September 1997 for a then club-record fee of £500,000. His energetic displays quickly made him a fans’ favourite and he was named player of the year in his first season. In November 1998, he moved to Wimbledon for £2 million.
Remembering Doug Loft
This first meeting since Doug Loft’s recent death at just 39 will be a poignant occasion for both sides. Doug spent five years at Port Vale from 2009, was named their player of the year in 2011/12 and helped captain the team to automatic promotion the following season. He subsequently joined Gillingham in 2014 and went on to make 70 appearances during two seasons during which he also wore the captain’s armband. He made a lasting impact at both clubs – on and off the pitch – and will be greatly missed.
Match verdict
For Gillingham, the priority must be to discover the defensive solidity and competitive edge so conspicuously absent at Accrington. Three successive home league clean sheets offer encouragement, but Vale’s recent improvement suggests this may be a more demanding assignment than their league position indicates.
Ainsworth will surely be expecting all three points against opponents yet to earn one away from home. Whether his side can find a way past a defence growing in confidence is another question. The answer may depend on which version of Gillingham turns up on Tuesday evening.
Prediction: Gillingham 1-1 Port Vale
David Tickner writes regularly about Gillingham Football Club on Substack. You can read, follow or subscribe for free at Gills Journal | David Tickner | Substack
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