Match Previews

Preview | Swindon Town v Gillingham

27th January

George Lapslie and Conor Masterson are both pushing for starts as Gills make the trip to take on Swindon Town.

Swindon Town v Gillingham

The County Ground

Sky Bet League Two

Saturday January 28^th

Kick-Off, 3pm

Team News:

Conor Masterson, who re-joined the club on loan from QPR on Thursday, has signed in time to be eligible for selection on Saturday. Neil Harris could opt for the same starting XI for a third game in a row after his side’s 2-0 win at Colchester.

George Lapslie however will be pushing for a start having come off the bench at Colchester last weekend.

Jayden Clarke could be involved, but Olly Lee is unavailable.

Tom Clayton is close to a return from injury for Swindon, but Saturday will likely be too soon. Cian Harries will miss out, while Reece Devine has a chance to be involved after being back out on the grass during the week.

Charlie Austin could lead the line alongside Luke Jephcott, with Jonny Williams also likely to start the fixture.

Manager Comments:

Gavin Gunning - “They've done some good business. They have some decent players and they've signed a few good players. I know they've had a massive cash injection, but we hope there's three points pending for us.”

Neil Harris - "Swindon have recruited well, we are fully aware of the challenge.

"We want to make the Football Club proud.

"The fans have been so loyal and patient with all of us. I look forward to hearing them at the weekend!"

Previous Meetings:

When the two sides met earlier in the season, the game ended goalless as ten-man Gillingham dug in deep for a point. Gills had 11 men on the field until the 10th minute, as Haji Mnoga was shown a second yellow card as he tried to win the ball back as the visitors broke forward.

That came as a blow to the Gills, who had been on the front foot during the opening stages. Scott Kashket had the best chance of the game as he was played through on goal by a defence-splitting pass from Elkan Baggott.

The forward was forced to cut back onto his right foot as a defender came to close him down, and he tried to beat Solomon Brynn at his near post. Kashket beat the keeper but not the post, as his effort came off the outside of the woodwork.

Swindon took control of the second half as they went in search of what would have been a winning goal, but Neil Harris’ side stood firm as they came away with a well-deserved point.

A memorable trip to Swindon came on Boxing Day in 2015, as the late Justin Edinburgh saw his side come away with a fantastic win. Jonathan Obika gave The Robins an 18th-minute lead as the host’s caught Gillingham on the counter. Obika received the ball just outside the box before slotting it beyond an oncoming Stuart Nelson.

That lead lasted less than a minute, as Gills responded immediately. Dominic Samuel passed the ball to Bradley Dack, who found himself in acres of space. The midfielder was allowed to turn and set himself before shooting from 25 yards. His effort had plenty of power as he curled it into the bottom corner and out of the reach of Lawrence Vigouroux.

Jake Hessenthaler put Gillingham in front in the 35th minute. A ball into the box eventually fell to the midfielder, whose first-time effort bounced into the ground and beyond Vigouroux before hitting the back of the net. Ryan Jackson made it 3-1 in the 69th minute. He cut in on his left foot before bending a shot towards the far bottom corner, which the Swindon goalkeeper could only get a hand on.

Gills had an opportunity to add a fourth as John Egan was clattered inside the penalty area as Dack floated a corner in his direction. Dack stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort saved as Vigouroux got down to his right to push it away before a Swindon defender closed down the rebound.