Gillingham go in search of their first win of the new season on Saturday as Southend visit Kent.
GILLINGHAM V SOUTHEND
SKY BET LEAGUE 1
MEMS PRIESTFIELD STADIUM
SATURDAY AUGUST 26
KICK-OFF, 3PM
Team News:
Conor Wilkinson serves the second of a three match ban following his sending off against Bradford while Billy Bingham (foot) is 50/50 as to whether he will be involved. Bradley Garmston (calf) will sit out, but Scott Wagstaff (thigh) could return.
Tom Hadler, Bradley Stevenson and Finn O’Mara are all out on loan.
As for Southend Michael Turner (hamstring) is struggling while Ben Coker suffered a broken leg during pre-season and will miss out.
Rob Kiernan (knee) and Anthony Wordsworth (hamstring) will be unavailable but Steven McLaughlin is pushing for a return to the starting XI.
Management comments:
Steve Lovell – “Confidence comes from scoring goals so when we get a couple there will be an extra bounce in their step.
"The supporters have been great and we want to give them something to shout about. We just need a bit of luck.”
Phil Brown - “They are one of those teams where when we go there we seem to notoriously fold in the squad.
“There’s been three of four times I can categorically state that we should have won, including last season when we went down to ten-men.
“I spoke to Michael Timlin and Lenny about the last game at Priestfield and they made 70-plus passes in that game, they dictated the pace of the game, but we didn’t come away with winning anything, in fact we lost it.
“We need to go out there and put the fear of god into them from the first minute. It’s important to me that we get back to winning ways like the first game of the season and move on from there.”
We’ve met before:
The teams met on three occasions last season, twice in the league and the other in the EFL Cup. Gills won all three meetings with the most recent fixture being at MEMS Priestfield Stadium in February where Josh Wright scored twice in a 2-1 win, with former Gills centre-back Ryan Inniss sent off for the Shrimpers.
In total the two sides have met on 110 occasions; Gills having 45 wins to their name with Southend recording 36 victories.
Tickets:
Supporters can purchase tickets on the day of the game, although there is a £2 increase. Visiting fans can buy on the gate at the away turnstiles.
Officials:
Referee - Charles Breakspear
Assistant Referee 1 - Marc Wilson
Assistant Referee 2 - Samuel Ogles
Fourth Official - Adrian Waters