We look back at some of our most memorable games against Saturday's opposition
Colchester provide the opposition on Saturday for Gills first away fixture of 2014 with our game against Stevenage on New Year’s Day being postponed.We have brought back our `Flashback Friday` feature as we prepare for the short trip to Essex, with some of our more memorable games against the club highlighted below.
Saturday 6 August 2005 – Gillingham 2-1 Colchester
This fixture remains the last time the Gills overcame the U’s with goals from Andrew Crofts and Darren Byfield being enough to earn the hosts all three points on the opening day of the 05/06 season.
Neil Danns had opened the scoring in the 50th minute for the visitors, but Neale Cooper’s men responded well to achieve maximum points.
You can see the second half of this game on Gills Player.
Saturday 5 December 1998 – Colchester 1-5 Gillingham
The Gills, then under the management of Tony Pulis, totally dominated proceedings at Layer Road after going 4-1 before the break thanks to goals from Carl Asaba, Bob Taylor, Paul Smith and Adrian Pennock.
Taylor bagged his brace midway through the second half to complete the scoring, with Colchester unable to beat Vince Bartram for a second time.
Saturday 30 October 1993 – Gillingham 3-0 Colchester
Mike Flanagan guided the Gills to three more points against the Essex club after goals from Nicky Forster, Richard Green and Robbie Reinelt settled the fixture.
Gills went on to finish 16th in the old third division that season, with Colchester one place and two points below them.
Saturday 8 December 1984 – Colchester 0-5 Gillingham (FA Cup)
After beating Windsor & Elton in the first round of the FA Cup, the reward for Gills was a second round fixture away at Layer Road.
It proved to be a one sided affair as Keith Peacock’s men powered in to next round after a hat-trick from Dave Shearer and a goal apiece for Tony Cascarino and Martin Robinson.
Gills were eventually knocked out in the fourth round by Ipswich Town after a 3-2 defeat, following an impressive 2-1 win over Cardiff in the third round.
Monday 16 April 1979 – Gillingham 3-0 Colchester
Three years prior to that cup victory it was Gerry Summers who managed the Gills to another win over Colchester, aided by Ken Price, Danny Westwood and Tony Funnell who all got a goal each.
You can see a selection of images from our most recent fixtures at the top of this page.
Embedded below are highlights from our 1-1 draw with Colchester in April 1996 in the season that saw the Gills promoted to old second division.