We look ahead to tomorrow's big game in League Two
GILLINGHAM v NORTHAMPTON TOWNnpower League Two
Tuesday January 29 2013
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Kick-off: 7.45pm
TEAM NEWS…
It is a big game for both League Two sides tomorrow night with third-place Northampton coming to town.
Midfielder Charlie Lee will be assessed ahead of the game having suffered a clash of heads in the 1-1 home draw against York City.
In his post-match press conference on Saturday, Gills boss Martin Allen stated that striker Cody McDonald would play but didn’t indicate whether that would be from the start.
Aidy Boothroyd, who was at Priestfield at the weekend, made his first change in four games last time out when the Cobblers won 2-1 in snowy conditions at Aldershot seven days ago, Lewis Hornby starting with Adebayo Akinfenwa dropping to the bench.
Earlier today Brentford midfielder Emmanuel Oyeleke was added to the Town squad having moved on a one-month loan deal.
THE SEASON SO FAR…
A run of five wins in their last six games have seen the Cobblers rise up to third in the League Two table having picked up 45 points (13 wins and six draws) from their 28 games.
Previously on their travels Northampton have won three, drawn four and lost six times. Those away triumphs came at Aldershot Town (2-1), Accrington Stanley (4-2) and Dagenham & R (1-0) while single points were gained at Burton Albion (3-3), Rochdale (0-0), Torquay United (1-1) and York City (1-1).
They have suffered defeats at Barnet, Bristol Rovers, Chesterfield, Fleetwood Town, Oxford United and Plymouth Argyle.
LEADING GOALSCORERS…
Cody McDonald’s late equaliser against York City on Saturday means that there are now eighteen different players to have scored for the Gills so far this season.
The goalscoring list is led by Danny Kedwell (12), fellow striker Deon Burton (9) while Myles Weston and Chris Whelpdale have both netted six times.
The man currently leading the Cobblers scoring chart will require little introduction to Gillingham supporters as it is Adebayo Akinfenwa. The striker has netted 15 times so far this season while Alex Nicholls had grabbed eight goals before suffering his injury which has ruled him out for the season.
Behind them are Chris Hackett, Kelvin Langmead and Clive Platt with five goals while David Artell has four to his name.
EARLIER THIS SEASON…
The Gills maintained their 100% away league record with an impressive 2-1 victory over the Cobblers on a wet and windy night at Sixfields Back in early October.
Deon Burton and Jack Payne struck either side of half-time to put Martin Allen’s side comfortably ahead before Adebayo Akinfenwa reduced the deficit late on.
Town: L Nicholls, Johnson (East 66), Widdowson, Guttridge (Hackett 8), Langmead, Demontagnac (Moult 77), Akinfenwa, Tozer, A Nicholls, Artell, Roofe. Unused subs: Higgs, Charles, Platt, Mukendi.
Gills: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Flanagan, Barrett, Wright, Payne (Frampton 68), Whelpdale (Weston 57), Allen, Kedwell, Burton (Findley 74). Unused subs: Forecast, Davies, Montrose, Strevens.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS…
There have been 107 previous meetings between the two sides with Gillingham having won 38 and drawn 18 of these which date back to the 1920-21 campaign.
OFFICIALS…
Referee – Graham Salisbury
Assistants – Matt Foley & John Hopkins
Fourth Official – Neil Hair
The Lancashire official has refereed 26 games this season in which he has issued four red and 88 yellow cards.
Graham’s last game in charge of a Gills game was the goalless draw with Macclesfield Town at Moss Rose in December 2011.