Gillingham had to do it the hard way, but once again Mark Bonner’s men showed grit, determination and togetherness as they battled their way to a hard-earned 1-0 home win against Chesterfield.
The Spireites looked like a side that may well be up there challenging towards the end of the season, but a well-worked set piece gave the Gills the crucial goal as a beautifully delivered Jack Nolan free kick was met with a diving Robbie McKenzie header for the only goal of the game.
Chesterfield hit the bar twice and the post once, while the Gills hit the woodwork themselves in an eventful back-and-forth game that also featured the erratic officiating of referee Charles Breakspear, who booked seven and sent off two – including Gills’ Max Ehmer – in a less-than-stellar performance from the man in the middle.
Ehmer’s suspension will be a concern, as will the apparent hamstring problem that saw Aaron Rowe brought off injured after 20 minutes. But the result will be a huge positive, with the Gills’ victory ensuring they remain at the top of League Two as the first team to hit 10 points in the league this season.
The ME7 Podcast’s James Hawkins takes the helm for our Sunday recap show as he discusses the Gills’ early-season form, the performance against Chesterfield, and the challenges that lay ahead.
Photo credit: Colin Nash, Kent Pro Images
Gillingham 1-0 Chesterfield: Gills win with 10!