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Our panel of fans give their verdict on Gillingham’s fifth consecutive win

Andy Barcham gives chase
Andy Barcham gives chase

Andy Barcham on the charge against Stevenage Picture: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham made it five victories on the bounce with Saturday's 1-0 win over Stevenage at Priestfield. Here is what our panel of fans think.

MELISSA GUTHRIE

Rochester

“The game against Stevenage was a very entertaining if nerve wracking win from a fan’s point of view.

“Our front two looked dangerous again, as they did against Port Vale. Our midfield looked a bit tired from the previous game, but everyone put their body on the line to ensure the three points.

“The best performances came from Adebayo Akinfenwa, Josh Gowling, Joe Martin, and Alan Julian. Bayo held up the ball well. His ability with his feet makes him a pleasure to watch.

"Gowling looked unbeatable in the air. Martin, despite his head injury, never shied away from a tackle and his goalline clearance saved us the three points in injury time. Julian pulled off some fantastic saves in the dying minutes of the game, and while many will focus on his early kicking issues, he more than made up for it.

“The players showed a lot of heart, and I was extremely proud."

DAVID ELLIOTT

Broadstairs

“After the win over Port Vale there were some tired legs but thankfully our quality and solid defending carried us through what was, as expected, a physical encounter.

“At long last the McDonald and Bayo partnership is starting to reap rewards, with less of the early season long ball tactics and more play via the midfield. Having said that, Maher was again very poor, winning very few balls and often losing posession.

“We also won very little in the air and perhaps Bentley should now start in Maher’s place until Payne is fit again.

“Despite a save at the end, Julian is still the weakest link in our side. Over the years we have been lucky with our quality of keeper, Stannard, Brown, Banks, Royce and even Bartram were all far superior in terms of ability. A loan deal for Jason Brown would really show the club’s true ambition.

“Another great display from Akinfenwa, especially given he had the flu, and also Gowling who has been a different player since he came back.

“A contract must also be on the cards for Joe Martin who, despite lacking match practice, looks a class act.”

Adebayo Akinfenwa celebrates his winner against Stevenage
Adebayo Akinfenwa celebrates his winner against Stevenage

SAM LIVINGSTONE

Pangbourne

“This was probably the most satisfying win of the season for me because we did not play that well and still ground out a win.

“A brilliant way to start the year and of all the ways ‘The Tank’ could have scored, I would not have put my money on a diving header!

“However it was a brilliant cross from Spiller and an even better finish from Bayo (pictured) who is now finding his feet and justifying his place in the starting line-up.

“I criticised Hess when it was going badly earlier on in the season so it is only fair that now I have to praise him because it is a team more willing to fight."

LIAM BATCH

Gillingham

"Another win and crucially another clean sheet. Scrappy it may have been, but there's going to be plenty of games like that in league 2 and we have to ensure that we come out on the better side of the result.

"It's great to see the Gills putting together such a good string of results and long may it continue with hopeully a fourth away win, against Wycombe."

STEVENAGE FAN

Paul Lyme

“We didn’t deserve to win the game but we had one really good chance when Alan Julian pulled off a great save to deny us an equaliser.

“I had predicted 1-1 so I wasn’t too far out in the end!

“We’ve got to bounce back with a win against Barnet now. They’ve just sacked Stimmo so if we can win that one then we can push on and try to finish in mid-table.

“Gillingham have got a good defence, including a few former Stevenage players in there, and they should do okay. I’m not surprised that the win put them into the play-off places.”

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