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Gillingham midfielder Mark Bentley writes exclusively for the KM Group

Mark Bentley
Mark Bentley

As you are probably now aware, I have agreed to join Cambridge United on a month’s loan.

Like I said a couple of weeks ago, I need and want to play games. Some players can be happy to be sitting on the bench, especially when the team are doing well but that is just not me.

This month away from the club will give me the chance to go and play some games and increase my fitness levels.

It’s the first time I have experienced going out on loan and I’m grateful to Cambridge for giving me the opportunity. The club is fairly local to where I live, so I know a bit about them.

The set-up and facilities they have are no different to what I’m used to and I believe they have under-achieved this year and find themselves at the wrong end of the table, so it’s going to be a good challenge for me.

Dropping down to the Conference does not bother me, as it’s a league I know well and the gap between Conference and League 2 is small these days.

I must thank the gaffer for letting me have this month away and I’m sure it will benefit all parties.

I’m hoping that I can come back and still play some part in the final games of the season.


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I will certainly be keeping a close eye on the Gills’ results while I’m away and wish the players and management the best of luck.

I hope the old boys continue to give the petulant young lads their weekly pasting in the small-sided games, although I’m sure they will miss my younger legs in there!

I will hand the column over to Nicky Southall while I’m away and I’m sure he will enjoy it as much as I do...

I can’t comment much on the Southend game, as I was not there to see it but they have been in great form recently and I know from my time there how difficult it would be for any team to play them at Roots Hall under floodlights.

To come away with a 2-2 draw is another positive result for us.

It followed a well-deserved win on Saturday against Bradford and keeps us in the hunt for promotion. At the weekend I thought we looked comfortable throughout, with Bradford causing us few problems.

The only problems we could have faced was from the referee, who had an entertaining game, first-half especially. He seemed to blow-up for every bit of contact and I think he thought he was officiating a netball game at one stage.

Fortunately, he had a word with himself at half-time and let the game flow more in the second half.

Away from the referee’s performance, we scored two good goals with Bayo back on the scoresheet, which he deserved after his recent performances.

Curtis continued his golden patch of goals with a great strike that gave their keeper no chance. It was a great time to score and the goal pretty much finished off Bradford who are seriously lacking in confidence.

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