Gillingham 2-1 Rochdale - Jackson on the spot as Gills head to Wembley

On a barmy spring-like evening at Priestfield, two goals from top scorer Simeon Jackson sealed the Gills’ progress to the national stadium at the expense of a gritty and hardworking Rochdale, who came to Kent knowing that after a blank first leg at Spotland on Thursday, they would have to win at Priestfield for just the third time if they were to earn the chance of escaping the bottom tier of the professional pyramid for the first time in nearly forty years.

But this night was to belong to Mark Stimson and his blue and white army as roared on by Priestfield’s biggest league gate of the season, the Gills took an early advantage and although the visitors’ pegged them back, Jackson was on hand to earn the trip to Wembley in thirteen days time.

With so much at stake, the game began tentatively and early on it was the visitors’ who gained the upper hand possession wise at least.

On eight minutes, full-back Tom Kennedy, nephew of former Liverpool and England left-back Alan, sent over a tantalising cross which Lee Thorpe (who was arguably Rochdale’s best player in the first leg), sent a diving header into the Rainham End, although Simon King did appear to have got on the wrong side of the striker.

The goal Priestfield was waiting for came four minutes later when Dennis Oli held off two challenges and although appeared to handle, was waved on by referee Oliver.  The former Grays Athletic striker released Andy Barcham and the winger centred first time for Jackson to escape his marker and flick the ball wide of Frank Fielding and into the net for his 19th goal of the season.

Kennedy then had a free-kick, which was comfortably dealt with by Simon Royce in the Gillingham goal, before Barcham embarked on a mazy run from the half-way line, which left Dale defenders in his wake before seeing his shot blocked by the impressive Nathan Stanton.

It’s said in games that sides who have a single goal lead are always anxious to grab an extra cushion and were unfortunately so it proved yet again as nine minutes before half time Rochdale equalised.

Joe Thompson’s run to the edge of the Gills’ box brought only a half-hearted block from the home defence and as the ball richocet to Chris Dagnall he side-stepped the wrong-footed John Nutter before giving Royce no chance from eight-yards.

With the visitors’ now getting the upper hand, half-time arrived at just the right time for Stimson’s players and after the break, they upped the tempo significantly as deservedly re-took the lead.

Oli and Barcham combined brilliantly to release full-back Nutter through the inside left channel and his run into the box was crudely ended by Rory McArdle and after a moments deliberation, referee Oliver pointed to the spot.

The delay between the foul and the officials’ eventual reward of the spot-kick seemed like an eternity for all those in blue, but it literally was just a second or two.

Jackson then coolly stepped up and with the Rainham End baying for the goal, the Gills’ top scorer, coolly slotted home his 20th goal of the season, sending Fielding the wrong way.

It was so nearly 3-1 just two minutes later when Nutter’s pin-point free-kick saw Garry Richards thunder a header against the top of the bar with Fielding groping at thin air.

Rochdale needed to shake things up and duly did with Adam Lefondre, one of the division’s leading goalscorerers, entering the fray.

And it was Lefondre who almost capitalised as an innocuous ball forward on 77 minutes rebounded of Barry Fuller towards the Gillingham goal only for Royce to sprint from his area to clear.

As the clock ticked by ever more slowly, two of Gillingham’s substitutes combined to almost put the tie beyond any doubt on 85 minutes.

Nicky Southall’s corner was met by Mark Bentley at the near post but with Fielding floundering, the Rochdale goalkeeper was relieved to see the ball flash past a wrong-footed Barcham.

The visitors’ almost grabbed an equaliser deep into injury time when, following a Richards mistake, Lefondre squared for Will Buckley, but to the relief of the majority of the 9,585 crowd, the ball ballooned across the face of Royce’s goal, missing the left-post by not a great deal.

The scenes at the final whistle were really something to behold as a civilised pitch invasion saw the Gillingham faithful congratulate their heroes as the club prepares for only it’s third tip to Wembley in their 116th years.

And so after 46 league games, two play-off games, the goal of an instant return to Coca-Cola League One is now just 90 minutes away.

Standing between Stimson’s side and promotion are Shrewsbury Town, (who earlier in the day had defeated Bury on penalties for the right to go to the final).

Shrewsbury beat the Gills 7-0 when Stimson’s side visited Shropshire in September.

Wembley is surely the best stage for footballing revenge and on May 23rd, Stimson, his side and the Kent football family get it’s chance.