More home discomfort as Gills stumble out of the Cup

Gillingham 0-1 Barrow

Originally published in Gills Journal by David Tickner

Gillingham’s hopes of progressing in this season’s FA Cup were dashed by Barrow at Priestfield on Saturday. Despite the visitors’ National League status, this was an evenly contested tie. Substitute Innes Cameronsettled it in second half stoppage time. It is the third successive season in which the Gills have fallen at the Cup’s first-round hurdle.

Of wider concern is Gillingham’s form which manager Gareth Ainsworth admitted was too ‘spiky’ highlighting the need for greater consistency.

A Priestfield problem?

Following last weekend’s win at Shrewsbury, a second successive home defeat highlighted the current disparity between results at Priestfield and on the road. Although the distinction is a little less pronounced in the league, across all competitions, the Gills have suffered five home defeats in 11 matches compared with just two in seven away games.

The relative strength of opponents offers one explanation. Before Barrow’s visit, home defeats had come at the hands of Walsall (currently 3rd in League Two) and Grimsby (now 6th) as well as in cup competitions against League One sides, Luton Town and Cambridge United.

Away wins have been achieved against relatively weaker opposition: Rochdale (20th), Rotherham (22nd) and, last weekend, at Shrewsbury (15th).

But a question also remains as to whether something more fundamental has emerged in the recent performances and environment at Priestfield? Since beating Bristol Rovers on 19 September, Gillingham have won just one of six matches at home – a narrow 4-3 home victory over Brighton’s Under 21s in the EFL Trophy.

In those six matches, they conceded 13 goals, scored seven, and have failed to win any of the three league games, drawing with Newport (14th) and Port Vale (19th). It’s hardly the ‘fortress’ Ainsworth spoke of building at Priestfield back in September. Speaking after Saturday’s defeat, he suggested of his side’s home form: ‘It’s a vicious circle, isn’t it? The pressure comes because you don’t win, and when you don’t win, the pressure comes.’

Undone at the last

There was little to suggest that there were 25 places, spanning the fourth and fifth tiers, separating the two sides on Saturday. Gillingham created the better opportunities in an otherwise evenly balanced first half but failed to capitalise on good chances for Ronan Hale and Robbie McKenzie. Ainsworth felt that his side had enough first half chances to win the game before half time.

During a second half in which neither side showed a great deal of quality, it felt increasingly likely that if the tie were to be decided before extra time or penalties, it would be by a single goal. Hale came close when his 75th-minute shot was deflected against the post.

The introduction of substitutes Danny Amos and Innes Cameron early in the second half saw Barrow move to a back three and offered them a more conventional attacking outlet with Cameron playing as a centre forward.

Cameron forced Ollie Wright into a fine stoppage-time save, the goalkeeper diving smartly to his left to turn the striker’s header behind. The warning went unheeded. The resulting corner was played short. A tired-looking Gillingham were slow to react as substitute Dan Mooney cut into the area and fired a left-footed shot goalwards. Cameron’s deflection left Wright helpless and sent Gillingham out of the FA Cup.

Whilst there was perhaps an element of good fortune in Barrow’s goal, Ainsworth highlighted the price paid by his side’s late defensive lapse. ‘We have to be absolutely spot on with set pieces, and we weren’t in the last set piece of the game. And that’s how they’ve got through.’ It’s not a new problem. The EFL’s Opta briefing of 30 October reported that Gillingham had conceded seven league goals from corners this season, the most of any League Two club at that stage.

As in recent home games, Ainsworth’s substitutes had less impact than their opponents’. Harry Waldock’s second-half injury forced Garath McCleary into action in the 59th minute while the absence of Tom Eavesand Will Goodwin limited the manager’s attacking options. His remaining changes were Armani Little for McKenzie and Sheldon Kendall for Lamin Sillah. Ainsworth later revealed that he had lost three players from the squad on Friday and suggested one injury may be significant, while Andy Smith was confined to the bench to protect an ankle injury. The disruption forced a late rethink.

Finding consistency

Social media indicates fans’ opinions are divided over Gillingham’s prospects under Ainsworth. For now, the fact remains that despite Saturday’s cup exit and inconsistent form, Gillingham sit just outside the play-off places on goal difference, level on points with Grimsby and York City.

However, it seems unlikely Gillingham will be able to sustain realistic promotion ambitions if they remain so inconsistent, particularly at home.

The upcoming trips to Northampton and struggling Colchester offer opportunities to progress to the EFL Trophy knockout stages, demonstrate improvement and rebuild confidence. Fourth-placed Crewe Alexandrathen provide the next challenge at Priestfield.

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