We look ahead to Gillingham's final match of the 2013/14 Sky Bet League One season
GILLINGHAM V SHREWSBURY TOWNSky Bet League One
MEMS Priestfield Stadium
Saturday May 3
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Peter Taylor may include a few younger players in his match squad for the final game of the league season.
Danny Kedwell (ankle) is fit to start if required, as is Bayo Akinfenwa who suffered a dead leg in last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Preston.
Matt Fish (knee) is available for selection and could feature for the first time since the opening day of the season.
Aaron Millbank is likely to be named in the squad, with Gary Borrowdale also in contention.
As for Shrewsbury, they were relegated from the division last week which could pave the way for some of their younger players to prove their worth ahead of next season.
Midfielder David McAllister (ankle) and defender Jermaine Grandison (hamstring) could both be in contention to start.
Manager Comments:
Peter Taylor says although it is nice knowing his team are safe prior to the final day, he wants the Gills to finish on a high and end with 55 points on the board and, potentially, move up a place in the table.
Speaking to the club website he said: “There should be less pressure on both teams, they know where they are and so do we so if that means both teams do well then it will be an enjoyable game.
“I want to win the match and finish off well to give the supporters that have paid their money all season, with a poor return for them, a reason to go home happy.”
Shrewsbury
The Gaffer – Mike Jackson
Jackson took over as Manager of Shrewsbury earlier this year following Graham Turner’s decision to stand down, later taking the job until the end of the season.
He began his playing career at Crewe before signing for Bury in 1993. He spent four years at Gigg Lane prior to joining Preston where he enjoyed a great spell.
While at Deepdale he played in over 250 league games, predominantly as a centre-back before electing to join Tranmere in 2004 on a free transfer having had a brief loan spell at the club.
Jackson spent two seasons at Prenton Park and his consistent performances alerted the attention of Blackpool who moved quickly to secure his signature in 2006, and it proved a great decision as Mike captained the side who won promotion to the Championship in his very first year.
A second season would follow before joining current club Shrewsbury – a knee injury forced him to retire early but the Shrews kept him on in a coaching capacity.
The Skipper – Joe Jacobson
The centre-back currently wears the captain’s armband in place of Tamika Mkandawire who was ruled out for the remainder of the season a couple of weeks ago due to a foot injury.
Jacobsen joined Shrewsbury in June 2011 when his contract expired at Accrington Stanley and quickly proved an astute signing, holding down the left back role for much of the season as he helped the club gain promotion from League Two.
A former captain of the Wales under-21 international team, Joe kicked off his career with his home town club Cardiff City.
Spells with Bristol Rovers and Oldham followed before Joe came to Shrewsbury's attention following a successful season at Accrington.
One to Watch – Paul Parry
Having made his name as a flying winger at Hereford United under Graham Turner, the pair were reunited when the former Wales international moved to Shrewsbury in July 2012.
Paul marked his home debut for Shrewsbury with a stunning winner against Preston North End, his former club, and popped up with several more important goals as Town ended the season in 16th position in League One.
Paul's best days came at Cardiff City, for whom he appeared in the 2008 FA Cup final against Portsmouth at Wembley, and it was during his time in South Wales that he gained 12 caps for Wales, scoring once, the winner against Canada.
He then spent three years with Preston, clocking up 47 appearances in his final season at Deepdale, and he rejected the offer of a new contract from Preston to pursue a fresh challenge at Shrewsbury.
Shrewsbury – the 2013/14 season
Sadly Shrewsbury have been unable to try and force a last day escape having lost their last four fixtures, the last of which confirming their relegation after a 4-2 defeat to Peterborough at Greenhous Meadow.
Shrewsbury have been flirting with the bottom four since the opening month of the season having won just once in their first 12 games in all competitions, a second victory not being achieved until October 12 when they defeated Gillingham in the reverse fixture.
However the team have only gone on to record a further seven wins, giving them a points tally of 41 and in danger of finishing as the bottom side in the division.
In the cup competitions they were defeated in the first round of the Capital One Cup by Bolton – Oldham eliminated them in the first round of the JPT with a 4-1 victory, and in the FA Cup they were defeated at the first hurdle again, this time by Walsall.
Previous Meetings:
The last time the two sides met was earlier this season at Greenhous Meadow when the hosts won 2-0 in a comfortable display. It was a match which would prove to be Martin Allen’s last as Gills boss.
In total the teams have met on 56 occasions – of those the Gills have won 18, Shrewsbury have won 22 and the remaining 16 games have been draws.
Betting:
Unsurprisingly, with Shrewsbury being bottom of the league and having already been relegated, Gills are the favourites to clinch all three points and Sky Bet are offering odds of 21/20 for the win.
For Cody McDonald to score first and clinch his fourth goal in as many games, you can get a price of 5/1.
For Danny Kedwell to score first and the Gills to win 3-0, Sky Bet are giving odds of 66/1.
For more markets, and to register your account with Sky Bet, click here.
Officials:
Referee - Darren Drysdale
Assistant Referee 1 - Stuart Butler
Assistant Referee 2 - Daniel Leach
Fourth Official - Carl Brook