From laboured to lethal – Gills turn on the second half style at Rotherham

Four goals, three scorers and another emphatic away win as Ainsworth’s injury-hit side recover from a difficult start to make a statement at the New York Stadium

Originally published in Gills Journal by David Tickner.

On Saturday, Gillingham won 4-1 away from home for the second time this season, yet for much of the first half such an outcome looked improbable. Despite overturning an early deficit to inflict Rotherham’s first home league defeat of the season and move up to fourth in the table, the eventual score line disguised a first half in which the Gills struggled to gain a foothold. Their ruthlessness in the second half proved decisive, but the score line did not fully reflect the balance of the game.

After an opening quarter of an hour in which neither side created any real quality or chances of note, Rotherham striker Paul Mullin suddenly put the home side ahead after 17 minutes. The summer signing from Wrexham got the better of Andy Smith turning home Kian Spence’s low cross from the right. Buoyed by their unexpected lead, the Millers began to exert greater control with Gillingham struggling to retain possession. After another Gills error, Ollie Wright was forced into a good save to deny Spence in the 25th minute.

Just as unexpected as Mullin’s opener was Ronan Hale’s superbly executed 34th-minute finish that brought Gillingham level against the balance of the preceding play. Nick Freeman did well to win possession wide on the right before crossing a ball that Lamin Sillah and Rotherham central defender, Sonny Aljofree, challenged for. The ball flicked on to an unmarked Hale at the back post who waited for it to drop before striking a sweet, right-footed volley beyond the Rotherham goalkeeper and just inside the far post. The goal proved important in rebalancing a game in which neither side had really established sustained superiority.

Tactical adjustment

Ainsworth was quick to credit his coaching staff for a tactical adjustment at half time. Assistant manager Steven Craig and first team coach Peter Gill suggested Gillingham drop a little deeper, screening rather than pressing Rotherham quite so assertively. The change provided greater control in the second half and allowed Gillingham to exploit pace down the flanks. ‘We have more than one way to play,’ Ainsworth reflected. The adjustment highlighted the versatility emerging in this season’s approach and squad that could prove invaluable over the course of the season.

The outcome of the game turned on two second-half goals seven minutes apart. Sillah put Gillingham ahead on the hour with a right-footed shot on the turn that beat the Rotherham goalkeeper, Julian Eyestone, at his near post. Sillah’s pace and direct running then won a penalty when Eyestone brought him down, allowing Hale to double the lead from the spot in the 67th minute. Substitute Tom Eaves added further gloss to the score line in the 89^th minute, winning and coolly converting a penalty against his former club.

More than just the goals

Two penalties earned legitimately through attacking play contributed to an emphatic winning margin. Although all of Gillingham’s goals came from their attackers, the improvement after half time was about more than just the forward line. Freeman’s performance on the right side of midfield deserved recognition while Armani Little’s energy and counter-pressing particularly impressed Ainsworth.

The absence of Conor McManus who had scored for the Republic of Ireland Under 21s in midweek was described by Ainsworth as ‘precautionary’. It required James Brophy to continue in a more withdrawn wing back role which tends to limit the attacking effectiveness he showed earlier in the season. Even so, he still made a decisive contribution to Sillah’s goal, keeping the ball alive before providing the pass that created the opportunity.

By his own admission, recent weeks have been difficult for Ronan Hale and he was relieved to find the net twice on Saturday. ‘Once the first one comes, it’s like buses, another one comes,’ he said after the game. Since his previous goal against Tranmere, he has battled through an ankle injury sustained in that match as well as a rib injury and broken nose suffered in the defeat at York, which required him to wear a protective mask against Newport last weekend. Ainsworth also acknowledged that Hale, despite making no complaint, would prefer to play higher up the pitch but praised both his technical ability and goalscoring instincts. Looking ahead, Hale welcomed the prospect of forming ‘a big man-wee man’ partnership with Eaves this season.

Confidence and caution

Ainsworth’s post-match enthusiasm was striking. ‘I feel I’ve got the best squad in the league,’ he declared. A view held despite an extensive injury list that includes, amongst others, Will Goodwin, Liam Gordon, Kadeem Harris, Eli King and Zech Obiero.

Another emphatic away win highlighted Gillingham’s growing capacity to respond to setbacks, adapt during matches and make the most of their attacking opportunities. Questions about consistency remain, but the ability to secure such a convincing victory after a distinctly average opening half offers considerable encouragement. Hale’s final assessment was perhaps an appropriate counterweight to his manager’s exuberance: ‘You can’t get too high. You can’t get too low.’

David Tickner writes regularly about Gillingham Football Club on Substack. You can read, follow or subscribe for free at Gills Journal | David Tickner | Substack.