We look ahead to Saturday's game against the Bees...
BARNET V GILLINGHAM
Underhill, npower League Two
Saturday September 8
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Martin Allen will have Matt Fish available for Saturday’s game despite him coming off within the first 15 minutes of the Johnstone’s Paint tie against Crawley midweek due to an Achilles injury.
Jack Payne will be available for selection following illness en route to the Broadfield Stadium, and Tommy Forecast is likely to be on the subs bench having made his full debut for the club.
Danny Kedwell (hamstring), Myles Weston (heel) and Deon Burton (rested) should all be available after missing the midweek action.
As for Barnet they will field a few familiar names with Barry Fuller, Curtis Weston and Olly Lee all available for the Bees.
Manager Mark Robson, once a coach at MEMS Priestfield, will be hoping to record the club’s first win of the season having only registered one point in their first four outings.
Striker Jon Nurse, who suffered concussion in the club’s 3-1 defeat to York City, could be available after receiving the all clear with an x-ray on his neck.
New signing David Stephens could start in defence – he was taken off during an U21 game earlier in the week but this was just as a precaution. Midfielder John Oster signed for the club on Friday and is likely to play some part.
Defender Danny Sedda and Striker Steve Kabba will miss out as they continue to recover from long term injuries.
Martin says…
The Gills boss concedes he didn’t expect to be top of the league at this early stage of the season, but says he is enjoying the experience all the same.
In his pre-match press conference he said:
“I didn’t expect to be top of the league. Some of the players don’t have anywhere to live and neither do I. I didn’t expect it but I enjoy it!
“It’s early in the season, they have a young manager and good players and we need to concentrate on our own game. We have some good players here and so do they so, as with every game, we approach it in the same way and we will go out to do the best that we can do.”
Current Form (last five games in all competitions):
Barnet: LLDLL (1 point)
Gills: WWLDL (7 points)
We’ve met before….
The sides last met earlier this year when the Gills won 3-1 at MEMS Priestfield thanks to goals from Jordan Obita, Dennis Oli and Charlie Lee.
In total the clubs have met 16 times – Barnet have more victories to their name with seven, Gills have come out on top four times, and the other five games have ended up in a draw.
Kit:
Barnet will wear their all black and amber home kit while the Gills will wear their away kit of blue shirts, blue shorts and white socks with the keeper wearing an all yellow jersey.
Officials:
Referee: Graham Scott
Assistants: Robert Whitton & David Avent
Fourth Official: Alan Young