A place in the next round of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy is up for grabs on Tuesday as Gills prepare to welcome Fulham U21's to ME7.
Attention turns to the Bristol Street Motors Trophy as Gills new Head Coach, Stephen Clemence, looks to build momentum after the FA Cup win at Hereford on Saturday.
Gillingham come into their final group stage match knowing a win will send them through to the next round. A win on penalties may also be enough dependent on the result between Portsmouth and Leyton Orient.
Gillingham v Fulham U21
Bristol Street Motors Trophy
Priestfield Stadium
Tuesday November 7
Kick-Off, 7pm
Team News:
Stephen Clemence has said he will make changes ahead of the game with one or two minor concerns following Saturday's game at Edgar Street.
Tim Dieng could start after coming on against Hereford, but the game is still too soon for both Oli Hawkins and Ashley Nadesan.
George Lapslie could return too after missing the FA Cup tie. Matty Macarthur, Ronald Sithole, Alex Giles, Sam Gale and Josh Chambers will all be pushing for starts as will Lewis Walker and Joe Gbode who have recently returned from loan spells at Woking and Maidstone respectively.
As for Fulham, they have drawn their first two group stage fixtures but lost on penalties on both occasions. They have no fresh injury or suspension concerns and could name an unchanged XI.
Manager Comments:
Stephen Clemence: "You do not go into a game thinking ‘that this does not matter’. You want to win. There will be changes. There might be some young players in the team, and you have to be patient with young players. Obviously, they are still learning and developing, but these games are vital for them."
Chris Donnell (player): "It's going to be another tough challenge against a senior side," said midfielder Chris Donnell. "They're doing well in League Two but we feel we know what we need to do to go and get the win.
"We conceded a late one against Leyton Orient which hurt us a little bit, but we've got a good mentality and want to go in and win any game."
Opposition:
Fulham’s U21 side come into the tie needing a win in normal time, or a victory on penalties, to have a chance of qualifying for the next round.
The Academy side’s previous results in the group stage have seen a 3-3 draw away to Portsmouth in their opening match. Pompey emerged victories from the resulting shootout, the south coast side taking the additional point on offer.
The Whites then travelled to Leyton Orient for their second group stage game. The youth side played out a 2-2 draw with the O’s, but again, the resulting shootout saw the hosts come out on top, Orient taking the extra point.
Fulham U21 sit third in the group heading into the third and final game.
Against the club's senior side there have been 35 meetings in all competitions. Gills have won 15, while Fulham have 13 victories to their name.
Gillingham's last win over the West London club came in November 1998 with Bob Taylor scoring a late goal in a 1-0 win at Priestfield.
Ticket Information:
Home supporters can purchase tickets up until kick-off via the below link. Visiting fans will have been given their own link to follow to purchase seats in the Gordon Road Stand.
All Gillingham supporters will be situated in the lower tier of the Magnus Search Medway Stand.
Match Officials:
Referee – Craig Hicks
Assistants – Marc Wilson & Alex Bradley
Fourth Official – Emily Heaslip
Odds:
Gillingham Win – 17/20
Draw – 11/4
Fulham U21 Win – 12/5
Special Bet – Gillingham to win 2-1 - 7/1.
Sat Nav: ME7 2PE