Gillingham 1-2 Aston Villa - Defiant Gills beaten only by controversial late penalty

GILLINGHAM 1-2 ASTON VILLA
FA Cup (Sponsored by E.ON) Third Round
Sunday 4^th January 2009
Mike Green reports from KRBS Priestfield Stadium

Kent’s last remaining side in this season’s FA Cup bowed out of the competition in front of a national television audience, courtesy of a dubious late penalty.

Gillingham, tenth in Coca-Cola League Two, more than matched the UEFA Champions League chasing Midlands aristocrats and Martin O’Neill will know just how close his side (although missing England stars Gareth Barry and Gabriel Agbonlahor) came to joining the long list of cup upsets.

Gills boss Mark Stimson will no doubt have been a very proud man as his charges came within eleven minutes of a money spinning replay at Villa Park.

Stimson though will also be extremely annoyed at the decision made by referee Keith Stroud, which saw Ashley Young clearly dive over Adam Miller’s challenge.

It would be wrong to focus on the late penalty award as it takes so much shine off a wonderful Gills performance with defender Simon King outstanding, midfielder Curtis Weston (who holds the record of being the youngest ever player in the Final itself for Millwall in 2004), covered every blade of grass on the surprisingly good Priestfield pitch, whilst top scorer Simeon Jackson was a constant thorn throughout and quite how Villa’s central defensive pair of Curtis Davies and Zat Knight only left Priestfield with a solitary yellow card between them, is quite bewildering.

Early on, it was Villa that adapted best to the conditions and they took the lead on 13 minutes, with their first attack of any note.

The Gills were punished for not clearing the ball properly as Milner exchanged passes with Stiliyan Petrov before giving Simon Royce, in the Gillingham goal, no chance from just inside the box.

The goal kick started the Gills and some of the interplay between Jackson and his strike partner Gary Mulligan was worthy of the Premier League.

On twenty minutes the pair combined brilliantly down the right to release Mulligan, who pulled the ball back smartly only for Dennis Oli to crash the ball into the side netting.

Moments later, Jackson was clean through only to be brought down by Knight on the edge of the penalty area, but with Priestfield baying for blood, referee Stroud deemed the challenge fair and waved play on.

On 24 minutes, Oli’s wonderful run was only ended by a crude challenge on the edge of the box by Villa skipper Nigel Reo-Coker, for which he was cautioned.

Gills stand-in skipper Adam Miller saw his free-kick deflect narrowly past the keeper’s right post and from the resulting corner keeper Brad Friedel only just got to the ball in front of Mulligan.

With the Gills now in full flight, Mulligan flicked on an Andy Barcham free-kick, which Jackson, arriving late, was only inches away from.

On the stroke of half-time, Villa reminded their hosts who the Premier League side were when a wonderful move resulted in Young bringing the very best out of Royce at the base of his right post.

The Gills keeper was also called into action early in the second half - this time going full length to deny Milner and then being quick enough to bravely deny Nathan Delfouneso.

The goal that the Gills deserved and Priestfield was waiting for duly arrived on 57 minutes when Jackson literarily had the ground rocking with a wonder strike.

A long ball forward from Stuart Lewis was flicked on by Mulligan for his strike partner, who turned Davies as though he wasn’t there before beating Friedel from the edge of the box, with a fierce drive that flew into the top right-hand corner of the net before disappearing in celebration into the jubilant Rainham End.

Villa boss O’Neill was becoming more and more agitated as the Gills were totally dominating.

Wave-upon-wave of Blue attacks were thwarted with some desperate Villa defending, before Gills’ hearts were broken by the scurge of the modern game.

Young, who remember is an England international, burst into the Gillingham area and after losing control off the ball, clearly (from my vantage point at least) dived over the outstretched leg of Miller.

With the majority of the crowd howling in protest at what appeared to be a poor decision by referee Stroud, after some deliberation, it was Milner who stepped forward and despite a valliant attempt by Royce, diving to his right, the £12m striker buried the penalty into the corner.

Time was now against the Gills and despite even throwing Royce forward for two late corners the home side couldn’t equalise again and it is Villa who must travel again in round four to either Cheltenham Town or Doncaster Rovers.

O’Neill will know that if his side are to challenge the big-four of the Premier League, they must improve miraculously on this showing.

For Stimson and the Gills this ninety minutes proves that once again Priestfield has become a fortress that a promotion bid can surely be mounted from.

At the final whistle the crowd stood as one to salute the Gills’ brave valiant effort.

Champions League, you’re ‘aving a laugh!

Gillingham: Simon Royce, John Nutter, Stuart Lewis, Simon King, Mark Bentley, Gary Mulligan, Simeon Jackson, Adam Miller, Dennis Oli, Curtis Weston, Andy Barcham.
Subs: Andy Pugh, Alan Julian, Connor Essam, Jack Payne, Luke Rooney, Charlie Stimson, Dean Rance.

Goal: Simeon Jackson 57

Booked: Simon King 16, Andy Barcham 64, Mark Bentley 68, Stuart Lewis 75

Aston Villa: Brad Friedel, Steve Sidwell, Ashley Young, James Milner, Nathan Delfouneso (Marlon Harewood 73), Curtis Davies, Zat Knight, Stiliyan Petrov, Nigel Reo-Coker, Nicky Shorey, Craig Gardner.
Subs: Mustafa Salifou, Bradley Guzan, Isaiah Osbourne, Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark, Shane Lowry.

Goals: James Milner 13, 79 (pen)

Booked: Nigel Reo-Coker 25, Curtis Davies 35

Attendance: 10,107
Referee: Mr Keith Stroud (Hampshire)
Assistants: Mr D Ryan & Mr J Flynn
Fourth Official: Mr S Tanner