Gills begin their 2022/23 campaign at the Cherry Red Records Stadium against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
AFC Wimbledon v Gillingham
Sky Bet League Two
Cherry Red Records Stadium
Saturday July 30th
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Stuart O’Keefe is continuing to recover from his knee injury, but Saturday may come too soon for the midfielder. Alex MacDonald however could be named in the matchday squad following a fruitful pre-season campaign.
Glenn Morris, who signed on loan from Crawley until January on Friday morning, should go straight into the matchday squad for the fixture and will compete with Jake Turner for the place in goal.
AFC Wimbledon captain Alex Woodyard will miss Saturday’s game due to a calf problem. David Fisher will also miss the game due to a hamstring issue, while Luke McCormick will be assessed.
Aaron Cosgrave will be available to Johnnie Jackson after he returned to training following an ankle injury.
Manager Comments:
Neil Harris - "It's the first game of the season. I am excited; I want to win but I want to see things implemented on the pitch that we have worked on in training.
"A lot of work has gone in.
"I have confidence in my group and I know we can coach a team to be very competitive."
Johnnie Jackson - “It is important to get off to a good start to the new season, regardless of what has gone before.
“I don’t want my players to be burdened by the past – it’s gone, it’s done. We’re just looking forward now and I know they’re really excited about the new season and we’re confident we can make this place a fortress.”
Previous Meetings:
The two clubs last met at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium earlier this year. The game ended goalless with Vadaine Oliver coming the closest for the Gills as his header bounced just wide of the post. Terry Ablade nearly found a way through for the visitors against the run of play, but his acrobatic bicycle kick crashed off the crossbar.
Gillingham’s last trip to AFC Wimbledon also ended in a draw. The game was goalless for 85 minutes, but the drama began in the 72nd minute as David Tutonda was sent off for a second yellow card. Ollie Palmer put Wimbledon in front with five minutes remaining as he managed to direct his header into the back of the net from close range.
In the dying seconds of the game, Gills found an equaliser. Harvey Lintott’s speculative volley took a big deflection off Paul Kalambayi, which wrong-footed Nik Tzanev and looped its way into the goal. It sent the travelling Gillingham fans into raptures as the game ended 1-1.
Ticket Information:
Supporters that selected the "collection" ticket option when booking their tickets will be able to collect them at the away ticket office booth on Saturday from approximately 2pm, assuming they didn't do so at Priestfield on Friday. The away ticket office is situated next to the away turnstiles at Plough Lane.
Any tickets booked after 2pm on Wednesday would not have been posted, these will need to be collected.
Tickets are not available to purchase on the day of the game.
Travel Information:
The supporters' coaches are sold out for Saturday’s game. If you have not received a confirmation text message, you are NOT booked on the coach. If you are driving to the ground please check travel updates on a regular basis. Click here for a potential parking option.
Odds:
AFC Wimbledon win - 11/8
Draw - 21/10
Gillingham win - 2/1
Mikael Mandron to score first and Gillingham to win 2-1- 55/1.
Match Officials:
Referee - Simon Mather
Assistants - Paul Kelly and Christopher Wade
Fourth Official - Emily Heaslip
SAT NAV: SW17 0NR