Get the latest as Gills prepare to take on Mansfield.
The Gills face recently promoted Mansfield Town at the One Call Stadium this weekend, in what will be the final away fixture of the 2023/24 League Two campaign.
After sealing the three points with three goals at Priestfield versus Barrow last Saturday, the Gills are back on the road. A trip to Nottinghamshire to face a buoyant Mansfield Town awaits, the hosts having secured automatic promotion on Tuesday night with a 2-1 win at home to Accrington.
As the finish line edges ever closer, only a win will be enough if Stephen Clemence and his men are to retain the faintest hope of sneaking into the Play-Off positions come April 27th. Should other results fall the right way, six points from six may still just be enough to clinch a top seven finish come the end of the campaign.
Mansfield Town Vs. Gillingham
One Call Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
Saturday 20thth April
Kick-Off – 15:00
Team News:
Dom Jefferies will be available to travel to Mansfield with the squad this weekend following the midfielder's return from a long-term thigh injury. Dom was a second-half substitute versus Barrow at Priestfield last weekend, making his first appearance since January.
Jorge Hurtado remains unavailable for selection, the Colombian continuing to work on his recovery from a knee injury back with his parent club, Watford.
Stephen Clemence will make a last minute decision on Josh Walker. He was concussed last weekend following a heavy challenge, but he may still be able to travel. George Lapslie is fighting to be fit too.
As for Mansfield, they may decide to make changes to their starting XI having won promotion midweek. Tom Nichols could start up front having signed for the Stags in January.
Manager Comments:
Stephen Clemence: “We know it will be difficult, I am sure it will be a bit of a party atmosphere there - but we have to try and take the game to them and quieten that atmosphere down.
“We have shown on a number of occasions that we can take anybody on and I have always said that about this group."
Nigel Clough: "The season is not over yet. It is in terms of achieving our aim but we still have two games to play.
“So we will do everything we can to beat Gillingham on Saturday and then get something at Barrow the week after."
Previous Meeting:
The Gills played out a stalemate with the Stags at Priestfield in the reverse fixture of the current Sky Bet League Two campaign.
The men from ME7 took a very early lead after a loose pass from the visitors fell to Connor Mahoney, the forward driving into the box before setting up Macauley Bonne, who steered past Mansfield’s Christy Pym in the second minute.
The visitors found a controversial leveller with 37 minutes on the clock.
After a challenge by Ethan Coleman in the middle of the park prompted the referee to stop play and reach for his yellow card, the visitors took the resulting free-kick quickly. There was confusion around Priestfield as Kellior-Dunn tucked the ball underneath Jake Turner, whilst the Gills backline struggled to get back into formation, correctly believing play had been stopped for the booking.
The second half saw Mansfield push to find a winner, but the Gills held firm securing a 1-1 draw on the day.
Head-to-Head:
Gillingham – 15
Draw – 18
Mansfield – 20
We first met this weekend’s opponents way back in the 1931/32, as the Gills travelled to Nottinghamshire during the Old Division 3 campaign. That match ended 3-1 to the hosts.
Mansfield hold an additional five league wins, giving them the upper hand across history. The two clubs have never met in cup competition.
Ticket Information:
There are NO SALES on the day of the game.
Odds:
Mansfield Win – 5/6
Draw – 13/5
Gillingham Win – 29/10
Special Bet: Connor Mahoney to score last – 10/1.
Match Officials:
Referee - Mr Sam Purkiss
Assistants: Mr Michael Chard and Mr Richard Wigglesworth
Fourth Official: Christopher Ward
Sat Nav: NG18 5DA