Robbie McKenzie’s deflected half-volley was the difference as Gillingham secured a huge 1-0 victory against Morecambe at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The goal came with a little over ten minutes remaining when Max Ehmer had an attempt blocked before the ball came out to McKenzie, who was on the edge of the penalty area. He sent a half-volley goalward, which went towards a sea of players before taking a deflection, which guided the ball past Harry Burgoyne in the Morecambe goal. The final touch may have come off Jimmy-Jay Morgan.
John Coleman named an unchanged starting XI after the 2-1 defeat against Fleetwood Town in midweek. Conor Masterson returned to the matchday squad for the first time since the defeat at AFC Wimbledon before the New Year.
Gills started the game on the front foot, and Armani Little tested Harry Burgoyne in the Morecambe goal. Oli Hawkins did well holding the ball up before playing it to Remeao Hutton on the right. He cut the ball back inside for Little, who sent a low left-footed drive goalward. It lacked the power to cause Burgoyne an issue as he got down to his left to make the save.
Elliott Nevitt came close when he tried his luck from 25 yards. The striker had the space around him before letting fly, sending his right-footed effort towards the top corner. However, it had too much height on it, going just over the crossbar.
In the 42nd minute, Joe Gbode struck over the bar. Nevitt’s high flick into the air was headed back down to him. He tried to take it beyond a Morecambe defender but was upended. The loose ball came to Gbdoe, who tried curling the ball into the top right corner but could not keep his attempt down.
Gillingham continued to end the half strong as Hutton was played through down the righthand side into the penalty area. His low centre towards the six-yard box was deflected by a Morecambe defender before Burgoyne cleared with his foot. It went as far as Robbie McKenzie, who hooked it goalward. However, it lacked power and the visitors cleared their lines.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Morecambe
The MEMS Priestfield crowd were calling for a penalty after Gbode turned his marker and went to ground early in the half. There were loud calls for a spot kick, but the referee ignored the claims.
Max Clark tried his luck, lofting a half-volley across the goal towards the top left corner. However, his attempt floated over the Morecambe goal.
Gbode forced a brilliant save out of Burgoyne after quick thinking from Clark. Gillingham had a free-kick on the halfway line, and Gbode made a run out to the left corner of the penalty area, which Clark spotted. The left-back played a pass towards the striker, who brought the ball inside onto his right foot before curling an effort goalward. His strike had plenty of pace on it, forcing Burgoyne to push over the crossbar for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Max Ehmer came close. The ball bounced to him inside the box, and from a tight angle, he curled goalward. Unfortunately, his effort went just wide of the far post.
In the 61st minute, Gills made their first substitution. Morgan entered the game, replacing Hawkins.
Little forced Burgoyne into action with 15 minutes remaining. Gbode did well to win a corner on the right before Clark passed the ball into the box for the oncoming Little. The midfielder struck a low effort first time through a crowd of players, with the visiting goalkeeper seeing it late and saving with his feet.
In the 79th minute, Gillingham took the lead. A long throw into the box dropped to Ehmer, who saw his thumping shot well blocked. The ball came out to McKenzie, who struck a half-volley first time. His effort took a deflection off somebody in a sea of players, possibly Morgan, which took it away from Burgoyne, who had already gone to his left and ended up in the back of the net.
The visitors threw everything they could during the final stages of the game in search of a last-gasp equaliser, but Gillingham stood strong, holding on for a massive three points.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 1-0 Morecambe
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Smith, Ehmer, Gale, Clark, McKenzie, Little, Nevitt, Hawkins (Morgan 61’), Gbode (Khumbeni 88’)
Unused Substitutes: Turner, Masterson, Dack, Nolan, Clarke
Morecambe: Burgoyne, Hendrie (Millen 88’), Taylor, Stott, Macadam, Angol (Slew 87’), Dallas (Edwards 64’), Dackers, Cooke (A. Lewis 80’), Tutonda (Garner 87’), Songo’o
Unused Substitutes: White, P. Lewis
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Attendance: 5612 (85 away fans)
